Ranunculaceae

Ranunculus sceleratus

Common Names: Poison buttercup

Plant Form: Annual or biennial herb. Size: Up to 80 cm tall. Stem: Multi-branched above base, hollow in lower parts. Leaves: Bright green, 2-8 cm long, glossy, divided into 3 or 5 lobes, often with toothed edges. Flowers: Pale yellow with 5 petals, central part is dotted with unripe seeds like a strawberry. Fruit and Seeds: Flower elongates to be about 1 cm long and with 100-700 tiny beaked seeds. Habitat: Swamps, drains, lakes, wet ditches. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from other Buttercups (Ranunculus species) by elongated fruiting head, not rounded like others. Impacts: Highly toxic to stock and humans. Can impede water flow and displace native species.

Flower and leaf (RG FJ Richardson)

Growth habit

Seed head (RG FJ Richardson)

Small plant (RCH Shepherd)