Buttercup

Latin Name: Ranunculus (several species)

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Plants can be anywhere from 6 inches to 2.5 ft tall
  • Wedge-like, three-lobed leaves at the base
  • Some species' petals appear waxy
  • Yellow flowers, generally with 5 petals, but can have more depending on the buttercup species
  • Shape of petals can vary

Plant Longevity:

  • Winter annual

Where Commonly Found:

  • Moist woods
  • Fields
  • Pastures
  • Roadsides

Time of Most Concern:

  • Spring and early summer when plant is flowering

Compound that Causes Concern:

  • Glycoside, ranunculin from which the poisonous principle, protoanemonin is released by enzymatic action when the plant is crushed
  • Protoanemonin is volatile, yellow, and a bitter tasting in oil
  • Plants contain 0.3-2.5% protoanemonin on a dry weight basis
  • Highest concentration of protoanemonin is when flowering begins

Part of Plant Most Toxic:

  • All parts

Livestock Species Affected:

  • Cattle are more susceptible, but horses, goats, swine, and dogs may also be poisoned

Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:

  • Both

Clinical Signs:

  • Oral blisters and ulcers
  • Salivation
  • Diarrhea
  • Low heart rate
  • Convulsions
  • Twitching
  • Depression
  • Excitement
  • Anorexia

Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:

  • Relatively large amounts of the plant must be consumed before livestock develop toxicosis.

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Plants can be anywhere from 6 inches to 2.5 ft tall
  • Wedge-like, three-lobed leaves at the base
  • Some species' petals appear waxy
  • Yellow flowers, generally with 5 petals, but can have more depending on the buttercup species
  • Shape of petals can vary

Plant Longevity:

  • Winter annual

Where Commonly Found:

  • Moist woods
  • Fields
  • Pastures
  • Roadsides

Time of Most Concern:

  • Spring and early summer when plant is flowering

Compound that Causes Concern:

  • Glycoside, ranunculin from which the poisonous principle, protoanemonin is released by enzymatic action when the plant is crushed
  • Protoanemonin is volatile, yellow, and a bitter tasting in oil
  • Plants contain 0.3-2.5% protoanemonin on a dry weight basis
  • Highest concentration of protoanemonin is when flowering begins

Part of Plant Most Toxic:

  • All parts

Livestock Species Affected:

  • Cattle are more susceptible, but horses, goats, swine, and dogs may also be poisoned

Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:

  • Both

Clinical Signs:

  • Oral blisters and ulcers
  • Salivation
  • Diarrhea
  • Low heart rate
  • Convulsions
  • Twitching
  • Depression
  • Excitement
  • Anorexia

Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:

  • Relatively large amounts of the plant must be consumed before livestock develop toxicosis.

https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_raoc.pdf

Beasely et al. Notes for Toxicology VB 320: A systems approach to veterinary toxicology. University of Illinois. 1994

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