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Ranunculus carolinianus is often confused with:
Eranthis hyemalis leaves and flowers
Ranunculus sardous Plants in Bloom
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Apocynum cannabinum Apocynum cannabinum
Lyonia mariana Lyonia mariana
Prunus umbellata Form
Ranunculus carolinianus has some common disease problems:
Powdery Mildew of Strawberry

Carolina Buttercup Ranunculus carolinianus

Phonetic Spelling
ra-NUN-ku-lus kair-oh-lin-ee-AY-nuss
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Carolina Buttercup is a native winter annual weed or short-lived perennial.  It is found in low woods, damp thickets and is weedy in disturbed areas. It spreads by creeping along the ground and rooting at the nodes.

More information on Ranunculus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#winter annual weed#NC native#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#native weed#bird friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#winter annual weed#NC native#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#native weed#bird friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#bee friendly#problem for horses#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ranunculus
    Species:
    carolinianus
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Canada and U.S.A.
    Wildlife Value:
    Seeds are eaten by birds and bees and beetles pollinate the flowers
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit a head of small, dry achenes
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Description:
    Flower yellow petals with short reflexed sepals, thimblelike, often shiny.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Palmately lobed or divided, alternate, deeply three-parted leaves; leaflets are 1-2 inches long, smooth or appressed hairy terminal segment borne on smooth or appressed hairy stalks
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Ingestion causes burning of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, wobbly gait, and bloody diarrhea. Skin redness, burning sensation, and blisters following contact with cell sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Protoanemonin, released from the glycoside ranunculin.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems