A small, 2‐ to 5‐inch tall plant that grows and flowers early in spring, bur buttercup produces stiff burrs that help spread this weed. It is toxic to livestock. Typical plant growing in disturbed site. Photo courtesy of Gary A. Monroe @ USDA‐NRCS PLANTS Database. Butterbur is a plant extract that is used for medicinal purposes. It is most commonly used to treat migraines and hay fever. It is available as capsules and in other forms. There may be side. Testiculata is commonly known in English as bur (or burr) buttercup, but other names include curveseed butterwort, curve-seed buttercup and little bur. Named after the inflorescences which ripen into hard, spiny fruits or burs, the generic name Ceratocephala is derived from the Greek keras or keratos meaning a horn and kephale meaning the head.
This is a re-post of my article from about one year ago.
Look around on road sides or bare disturbed ground and you are likely to see the small yellow flowers of Bur Buttercup (Ranunculus testiculatus). It is also known as Hornseed Buttercup or Horned-Head Buttercup. It is native to southeastern Europe (Balkan Peninsula). It was first recorded in North America from Utah in 1932. The first record for British Columbia, in southern regions, was in 1966 and it has spread widely since then.
Olsen JD, Anderson TE, Murphy JC, Madsen G. Bur buttercup poisoning of sheep. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1983, 183:538-543. Ranunculus-repens Burbuttercup - Ranunculus testiculatus Burbuttercup.
Bur Buttercup is low-growing but the yellow flowers stand out in early spring. G Hunt photo
It is an annual that flowers early in spring. Although it does not compete well with healthy grass, it can quickly occupy disturbed areas, our native grasslands included. It is toxic to livestock, especially sheep. It thrives particularly well on bare soil in campgrounds and seeds are easily dispersed on camping gear and vehicles. Control is by mechanical removal or herbicides.
Bur Buttercup forms a carpet on this popular walking area at RL Clemitson school in Barnhartvale. G Hunt photo
Ceratocephala Testiculata
Bur Buttercup is not listed on the regulated or unregulated invasive plants in BC. You can see a list of invasive BC plant species here.
Bur Buttercup Herbicide
Two more pictures taken by Rick Howie in 2017. This “stand” of Bur Buttercups is on East Shuswap Road.