Small-Flowered Buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,124 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Small-Flowered Buttercup: observations by month (U.S.)
About Small-Flowered Buttercup
Ranunculus abortivus is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Its common names include littleleaf buttercup, small-flower crowfoot, small-flowered buttercup, and kidneyleaf buttercup. It is widespread across much of North America, found in all 10 Canadian Provinces plus Yukon and Northwest Territories, and most of the United States, except Hawaii, Oregon, California, and parts of the Southwest.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Small-Flowered Buttercup by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 227 | May | May–May |
| Pennsylvania | 226 | April | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 180 | April | Apr–Apr |
| New York | 152 | May | Apr–May |
| Minnesota | 150 | May | Apr–May |
| Virginia | 142 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Maryland | 102 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Wisconsin | 102 | May | Apr–May |
| Ohio | 99 | April | Apr–May |
| Maine | 83 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 66 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Massachusetts | 64 | May | Apr–May |
| New Jersey | 64 | April | Apr–May |
| North Carolina | 61 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Delaware | 54 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Arkansas | 48 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Michigan | 39 | May | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 36 | April | Apr–May |
| West Virginia | 33 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Georgia | 28 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Indiana | 26 | April | Apr–Apr |
| New Hampshire | 25 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 23 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Alabama | 19 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Mississippi | 19 | March | Mar–Mar |
| Iowa | 15 | April | Apr–May |
| District of Columbia | 14 | April | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 8 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Kansas | 7 | April | Apr–Apr |
| South Carolina | 5 | March | Feb–Mar |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (buttercup family)
Lesser Celandine
Red Columbine
Western Columbine
Rue Anemone
Marsh Marigold
Wood Anemone
Blue Columbine
Tenpetal Anemone
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Small-Flowered Buttercup?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Small-Flowered Buttercup most often seen?
The most observations come from Vermont, Pennsylvania, Illinois.