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Common Name: California Buttercup

General Information

Ranunculus californicus is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

Although no specific record of toxicity has been found for this plant, many if not all members of this genus are poisonous. These toxins can be destroyed by heat or by drying[, , , , , ]. Many if not all plants in this genus also have a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[, ].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-western N. America - Oregon to S. California..

Habitat

Grassy bluffs by the coast[]. Grassland and open woodland from sea level to 2000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist loamy soil[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. It is usually ground into a powder and can then be used as a mush with water, a flavouring in soups, or mixed with cereals when making bread etc[, , ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.