Ranunculus californicus

Benth.

California buttercup

Ranunculaceae Edible: Seeds Potential hazards — see below 14,859 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Ranunculus californicus, commonly known as the California buttercup, is a flowering plant of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is a native of California, where it is common in many habitats, including chaparral and woodlands. Its distribution extends across many habitats of California, north into Oregon and south into Baja California. Its reported locations include the islands between British Columbia and Washington, the Channel Islands of California, and the Sierra Nevada.

Description

A perennial buttercup reaching 0.6 m tall, hardy to UK zone 7. Hermaphroditic flowers bloom May to July and attract insects. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to basic pH. Tolerates semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil. Resists strong winds but cannot tolerate maritime salt exposure.

Edible Uses

The seed must be cooked before eating. It is typically ground into a powder and used as a mush with water, as a flavouring in soups, or mixed with cereals when making bread.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are parched, crushed and used for bread or porridge.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

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[4, 10, 13, 19, 62, 65]. Many if not all plants in this genus also have a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in summer. Division in spring is straightforward; larger divisions can be planted directly into their permanent positions. Smaller divisions are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until well established before planting out in late spring or early summer.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Notes

There are about 400 Ranunculus species.

References (4)

Anderson, M. K., 2012, Edible Seeds and Grains of California Tribes and the Klamath Tribe of Oregon in the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Museum of Anthropology Collections, University of California, Berkeley. USDA p 15
Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 468
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/