1. Bulbous Buttercup grows and roots differently though and this is the main recognition feature. Unlike Creeping Buttercup that grows along stems, Bulbous Buttercups grow from bulbous roots that form hairy stems. Crowfoot, or Meadow Buttercup. Crowfoot or Ranunculus acris is also known as Meadow Buttercup.
2. Hairy buttercup appears to be predominant in the Piedmont and Mountain regions, while bulbous buttercup is readily found in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. Hairy buttercup is a hairy plant with erect, hairy stems (single or branching from the base) and a fibrous root system.
3. Most buttercups have tuberous or fibrous roots. The flowers are solitary or loosely clustered and have five green sepals, five to many glossy yellow (sometimes white) petals, and numerous male and female structures (stamens and pistils). Cultivated varieties have been bred in many colours. The leaves are highly variable, depending on the species.

• Buttercup Leaf Drawing
• Meadow Buttercup Leaf
• Buttercup Leaf Identification

The predominant property in the plants of the Buttercup family is an acrid protoanemonin glycoside oil. Most of the species are listed as poisonous, but most are safe to taste. The buttercup taste is biting and acrid, stronger in some plants than others. Taste it and spit it out. What Causes Buttercup Leaves to Yellow? Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) grows up to 2 feet tall and adds a splash of color to any flower garden. Plant the bulbs in U.S.

Two of the common buttercups found in North Carolina are hairy buttercup (Ranunculus sardous) and bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus). Hairy buttercup appears to be predominant in the Piedmont and Mountain regions, while bulbous buttercup is readily found in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. Hairy buttercup is a hairy plant with erect, hairy stems (single or branching from the base) and a fibrous root system. Vegetative characteristics of hairy buttercup are similar to those of bulbous buttercup, except for the bulb-like swelling at the base of the stem on bulbous buttercup. Smallflower buttercup is also found in North Carolina, and can be distinguished from hairy buttercup by the lack of hairs on its leaves. In addition, hairy and bulbous buttercup have lobed leaves, whereas most of the lower leaves of smallflower buttercup are unlobed.

Winter annual broadleaf weeds germinate in the fall or winter and grow during any warm weather, which may occur in the winter, but otherwise remain somewhat dormant during the winter. They resume growth and produce seed in the spring and die as temperatures increase in late spring and early summer. They quickly invade thin turf areas especially where there is good soil moisture. Shade may also encourage growth. Many have a prostrate growth habit and are not affected by mowing. A dense, vigorous turf is the best way to reduce the encroachment of winter annual weeds. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • winter annual or perennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • upright
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • one
• LEAF MARGIN
  • lobed
• LEAF HAIRS
  • dense on both upper and lower surface
    Figure 8, Figure 9
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • oval/egg-shaped/elliptical
• LEAF WIDTH
  • 1/2 - 2 inches
• LEAF VENATION
  • palmate
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate
• ROOT TYPE
  • fibrous
• FLOWER COLOR
  • yellow
    Figure 14, Figure 15

Buttercup Leaf Drawing

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Find more information at the following NC State Extension websites:

Publication date: Nov. 16, 2017

Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by NC State University or N.C. A&T State University nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension county center.

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Buttercup (Ranunculus species): One of the many yellow flowering weeds that we fight in pastures and hay meadows. Buttercup is a winter annual that thrives in weak or thin pastures. There are several species of this winter annual. They differ mainly in leaf shape and growth, but all produce characteristic bright yellow blossoms. March to early April is the best time to kill buttercup. The goal is to spray buttercup before bloom.

Buttercup growing in a ryegrass pasture in East Texas.

Fertilizing and liming to soil test recommendations and efficient utilization of pastures or hay fields are the primary ways to decrease weed pressure.

Select Herbicide Options:

Weedmaster

2, 4-D

GrazonNext

Grazon P+D

Milestone

Cimarron Max (for bermudagrass pastures, will destroy bahiagrass)

Pastora (for bermudagrass pastures, will destroy bahiagrass)

REMEMBER: THE LABEL IS THE LAW! Always read the pesticide label before using.

Vanessa Corriher-Olson

Forage Extension Specialist

Soil & Crop Sciences

Overton, TX

Meadow Buttercup Leaf

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Buttercup Leaf Identification

Texas A&M University System