Tall Buttercup
Family: Ranunculacae
Ranunculus acris    
Photos:     Seeds      Plant     Leaf     Flower                     
tall buttercup plant
Plant
 tall buttercup flowers
Flower
Photos from  http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=6285 and  http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=1554318
Bio-control     Chemical control     Cultural control  

Habitat:  wet pastures , meadows, open area. (1)

Seeds: About 1/8 of an inch long, oval with tooth like hook on end. (2)(3)

Leaves/Stems: Usually 1 stem, 12-40 inches tall, with many branches. Hairy and soft. Leaves having 5 spears, flat, spread widely. (3)  

Roots: fiberous roots, very thick, hairy (3)

Flowers: Three to 5 petals( about 1 in in diameter), golden/ yellow color, hairey center. Usually on end of long stem from top. (1) (3)

Note: If eaten (usually by horses) the plant produces an acrid juice that makes the lips swell and is very painfull. This is a perennial plant. (1) (3)

Links:
  1. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/components/5655_13.html     Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension Service
  2. http://www.lacombecounty.com/dept_agriculture/tbuttercup.php  Lacombe County Web Site
  3. http://www.weedresearch.com/Case/Case.asp?ResistID=159  WeedScience.org
  4. http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/ranunculusacri.html     Connecticut Botanical Society
  5.  http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/tall-buttercup.aspx     Noxious weeds , King County   
  6. http://www.mthomesandland.com/nwbuttercup.html     Montana Homes and Land LLC.
  7. http://www.mtweed.org/weed_TallButtercup.html       Montana Weed Control Association
  8. http://missoulaeduplace.org/weeds_ID_tallbuttercup.shtml     Missoula County MSU Extension Service Weed District
  9.  http://www.strathcona.ab.ca/Strathcona/Departments/Transportation+and+Agriculture+Services/Agriculture+Services/Weeds/Tall+buttercup+-+control.htm   Strathacona County
  10. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RAAC3    USDA Plant Profile
Bibliography:
1. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Developement  [online] available April 22, 2008.
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/All/faq8777?OpenDocument   

2.  John Cardina, Cathy Herms, Tim Koch, Ted Webster
http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=320 

3. Ontario Ministryof Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/tall_buttercup.htm

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By: B.W. 1/15/01. - Updated by: R. Ricker 2-05.  - Updated by: Asheli Huckaba and D. Allen 02/09.