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Poisonous Plant - Buttercup
Latin Name: Ranunculus acris
Picture:
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Low Risk
Symptoms may include: In large quantities the compound, protoanemonin, causes salivation, together with inflammation of the mouth, blisters and abdominal pain with convulsions usually preceding death.
Notes: Don't worry if you find them in hay as they change to non toxic when dried. Buttercup has an acrid burning taste that makes them repulsive. Few reported cases of equine poisoning have been reported as horses do not normally eat them. Alkaloid, A poisonous substance, is present in Buttercups, and they are undesirable in a horse's pasture. Buttercups contain varying amounts of a poisonous oil. Alkaloids are mainly irritant and contact with the sensitive pink skin can result in a reaction.
Buttercups are very invasive and thrive in poor soil conditions. They can be killed by spraying. Horses must not be allowed to graze sprayed pasture for at least two weeks afterwards.
An effective means of reduction is to aerate and drain the fields. Any water and compacted soil will provide growing conditions for buttercups. Harrowing to break up any runners will slow and reduce their numbers. |
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