Death of horses due to buttercup is rare. Less is known about whether ensiling, or conversion into silage, has a similar detoxification effect. The blistering agent is detoxified rapidly by drying, and thus it is not generally a problem in hay. Grazing or mowing will release a powerful vesicant, or blistering agent, which causes blistering of the skin, mouth and digestive system on contact.

This is one reason buttercups can survive year to year.īuttercups are more than an unsightly weed. Waiting until after flowers appear can be too late to implement control tactics. New seeds are produced during the time petals are showy. Each of these species have somewhat similar flower heads but differ in their leaf characteristics. Buttercups are sometimes classified as short-lived perennials, but often grow as winter annuals.įour species of buttercups can be found in Kentucky: bulbous buttercup ( Ranunculus bulbosus), creeping buttercup ( Ranunculus repens), tall buttercup ( Ranunculus acris) and small flower buttercup ( Ranunculus arbortivus). Buttercup is the common name for a group of species from the genus Ranunculus. Kentucky pastures have exploded with the signature yellow buttercup flower.

Yellow flower buttercup