Species library · Plants & herbs

Creeping Buttercup: poisonous

Ranunculus repens

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Creeping Buttercup is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from April to August in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Waterside. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)

Photo: (c) Frank Vincentz, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · iNaturalist

When Creeping Buttercup appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Creeping Buttercup is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Waterside.

Look up Creeping Buttercup in the app

In the Forage app, Creeping Buttercup has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Creeping Buttercup: common questions

Is Creeping Buttercup poisonous?

Yes. Creeping Buttercup is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Creeping Buttercup appear?

Creeping Buttercup usually appears from April to August in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Creeping Buttercup grow?

Creeping Buttercup is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground, Waterside.

What can Creeping Buttercup be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Meadow buttercup, Bulbous buttercup, Lesser celandine. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits