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5/12/08 | Quail
Depending upon species, some buttercups grow as if they are winter annuals while others, such as bulbous buttercup, are perennials.
About 20 species of buttercups, Ranunculus spp., can be found in the moist areas of woods or pastures in Missouri.
Buttercups emerge from rootstocks or bulbs to form a rosette. Generally, the leaves are divided into three sections, giving the plant a "crowfoot" appearance. Some species do not have lobed leaves. Flowers occur singly and have five to seven glossy yellow petals.
The leaves and stems of buttercups contain a toxic substance, ranunculin, but animals generally avoid grazing buttercups. Ranunculin volatilizes during the hay-drying process so buttercups contained in dried hay do not pose toxicity problems.
Updated 1/17/08