Ranunculus tricuspis Maximowicz, Fl. Tangut. 12. 1889; Halerpestes haiyanica D. Z. Ma; H. tricuspis var. linearisecta L. H. Zhou.

Stolons 7--35 cm. Basal leaves 5--16; petiole 0.6--5.5 cm, glabrous, rarely sparsely puberulent; leaf blade rhombic or broadly cuneate, 0.5--2.6 × 0.5--2.2 cm, glabrous, base cuneate or broadly cuneate, 3-cleft to 3-sect; central segment cuneate, 3-cleft or linear, undivided; lateral segments lanceolate-linear, usually undivided. Scapes 1--13 cm, above puberulent or glabrous. Flowers 1, or 2, 7--11 mm in diam. Pedicel 2.5--10 mm. Receptacle puberulent or glabrous. Sepals abaxially puberulent or glabrous. Petals 5--6 × 2--3 mm. Stamens 13--25. Fl. May--Aug.

By rivers or lakes, swamps, alpine meadows; 1700--4800 m. SW Gansu, S Ningxia, Qinghai, SE Xinjiang, NE and S Xizang [Nepal].