Cursed Buttercup

(Ranunculus sceleratus)

 

   

 

Color Photographs: Midwestern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, Midwest National Technical Center.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Cursed Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus L.)

Identification: Plant semi-aquatic. Flowers relatively small with yellow petals shorter than the downward pointing sepals. Fruiting cluster elongate. Upper leaves divided into 3 elongate segments with toothed upper ends. Stems and leaves swollen and watery. Sap causes blisters. Plant 8 to 24 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Cursed Buttercup is found in swamps and marshes.

Flowering period: May to August.

Similar Species: The marshy habitat, elongate flowering cluster, and elongate segments of the leaves are characteristic of Cursed Buttercup.

Comments: The sap of Cursed Buttercup produces blisters on the skin. The plant is extremely poisonous if eaten.

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