[3] It is a small plant native to central and eastern North America that grows to a height up to 30 cm (1 ft) and has 5-petaled yellow flowers.

R. hispidus has upright stems growing up to 30 cm (1 ft) tall, with a tendency to sprawl as it ages.

[5] The flowers have 5 shiny yellow petals and measure about 2–3 cm (.75–1 in) across, growing individually on long hairy stalks.

[4] The genus name Ranunculus is from the Latin, meaning "little frog" and refers to the preference many buttercups have for wet habitats.

In Canada, it is native in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Labrador, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island.