Spiny Buttercup is a winter annual that begins growth in November, frequently in clumps. The stems are stout, ascending to erect, freely branched. Its preferred habitat is roadside ditches (often in standing water), lawn and gardens. Distribution is throughout the Escambia Region.

The leaves form a basal rosette, also on stems. The blades are 3 to 5 lobed, cleft, smooth and fleshy.

The flowers have distinct petals about 1/4 inch long. The pistils are separate and many; bisexual in nature, symmetrical in form. The pistils develop into achenes with short spines on the sides.