Creeping buttercup is often a severe problem in horse paddocks, where close grazing tends to open the sward.
Buttercup
What is a buttercup?
Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) is the most common species of buttercup. It is a perennial plant and establishes from the seedbank in new grass leys and where gaps occur in the sward. Once established, creeping buttercup can spread by stolons.
Creeping buttercup is often a severe problem in horse paddocks, where close grazing tends to open the sward.
Biology
Plants can grow up to 50cm tall and flower from May to September.
Buttercup plants are an indicator of poorly drained, acidic soils.
Creeping buttercup propagates from extensive creeping root stolons and seeds.
How can I identify Buttercups?
Plants flower from May to September with bright yellow flowers.
Pre-flowering buttercup
Flowering buttercup
Closer look at buttercup leaves
Closer look at creeping buttercup leaves
Why are buttercups a problem?
Buttercups have deeper rooting systems than grass and therefore nutrients are being taken up by the weeds and not the grass. Such grass swards may contain less competitive grass species and so buttercups can quickly dominate.
Buttercups reduce grass quality, palatability, and production (rejuvenation) and therefore reduce the pasture's life.
Fresh buttercup can also be toxic to livestock when eaten in large quantities. However, it is generally avoided by livestock due to its acrid taste.
Where buttercups grow – grass does not!
How do I control buttercups?
The best time to treat buttercups are when plants are young, actively growing and before flowering.
Use Envy® for the control of buttercups, but if other perennial weeds are present consider using Forefront® T or Pas•Tor Agronomy Pack
Forefront® T and Pas•Tor Agronomy Pack should only be used in fields grazed by cattle and sheep.
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Envy® controls buttercups, dandelions and other perennial weeds in paddocks and low productivity grassland.
Forefront® is the best herbicide treatment for long-term control of ragwort in grassland.