Bulbous Buttercup: how to spot it and stay safe

Bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) looks cheerful with shiny yellow flowers, but it can cause real trouble if you touch or eat it. If you spend time in fields, pastures, or older lawns, learning a few quick facts helps keep you, your kids, and your animals safe.

How to identify it

Bulbous buttercup is compact and shows a single yellow flower per stem. The petals are glossy like little mirrors. Leaves are divided and sit low to the ground, while a small bulb or tuber under the soil makes the plant hardy. It blooms in spring and early summer, and is common in dry pastures and unmown grassy areas.

Why it matters: the risks

The plant contains compounds that turn into an irritant called protoanemonin when the plant is crushed or chewed. That can cause skin redness, blisters, or a burning feeling. If people or animals eat fresh buttercups, they may get a sore mouth, drooling, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Dried buttercups (like in hay) are much less likely to cause problems because the toxin breaks down when dried.

For livestock, a few bites usually only cause mild irritation because animals tend to avoid the bitter taste. But if pasture is sparse and animals eat lots of buttercup, signs of poisoning can show up. Watch for drooling, lack of appetite, or tummy upset in animals that graze in fields with lots of buttercups.

Don’t confuse buttercup with butterbur (a different plant). Butterbur has large leaves and is used in some herbal products, but it carries its own risks. If you’re researching remedies or supplements, make sure you’re looking at the right plant.

Here’s what to do if you get exposed:

• Skin contact: Wash the area well with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. If irritation or blisters appear, avoid breaking them and see a doctor if it’s spreading or painful.
• Eye contact: Rinse eyes with clean water for several minutes and get medical help if pain or redness continues.
• Ingestion: Rinse the mouth and drink a small amount of water. Call a poison control center or seek emergency care if there’s severe drooling, vomiting, or trouble breathing.
• Pets and livestock: For small exposures, monitor closely. For repeated or large exposures, call your vet right away.

Quick prevention tips: wear gloves when pulling plants, mow or weed regularly to cut flowers before they spread, and keep animals off dense buttercup patches until fresh pasture returns. Teach kids not to chew wild plants and store foraged greens safely—don’t assume anything is edible just because it looks nice.

If you’re ever unsure whether a reaction needs medical care, err on the side of caution. A short call to your doctor, local clinic, or poison control can save time and stress. Want more plant and allergy tips? Check related articles on our site about natural remedies, allergy meds, and safe herb use.