Scientific Name
Ranunculus spp.
Common Name
Buttercup, crowfoot

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

Characteristics

Family
Ranunculaceae
Plant Description
Perennial or annual herbs; leaves alternate, palmately lobed or divided; flower yellow, thimblelike, often shiny; fruit a head of small, dry achenes.
Origin
USA, NC, Eurasia
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Forest and natural areas, weedy in disturbed areas, landscape as herbaceous perennials.
Mode
Ingestion, dermatitis.
Poisonous Part
All parts.
Symptoms
Ingestion causes burning of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Skin redness, burning sensation, and blisters following contact with cell sap.
Toxic Principle
Protoanemonin, released from the glycoside ranunculin.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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