buttercup, Creeping, Ranunculus repens
Weed Control Options 
Life Cycle
Perennial.Propagation
Reproducing by seed and by trailing horizontal stems which root at the nodes (Fig 1).Stems
Stems (Fig 8) prostrate or sometimes nearly erect and 20-30cm high, ranging from smooth to densely hairy.Leaves
Leaves (Fig 6,7) alternate (1 per node), often clustered, mostly with long stalks; the blades 3-parted and the middle segment with a distinct short stalk; each segment again lobed and toothed.Flowers and Fruit
Flowers (Fig 4) and seed heads (Fig 5) similar to Tall buttercup. Flowers from April to July.Habitat
Creeping buttercup occurs in scattered localities throughout Ontario in habitats similar to those of Tall buttercup, but is much less common. It grows particularly well in moist or poorly drained situations and it is often a bad weed in well-watered lawns.Distinguishing Features
It is distinguished from Tall buttercup by its prostrate stems which root at the nodes (Fig 1) and by the 3-parted leaf blade in which the central or terminal lobe has a distinct stalk (Fig 6 and 7).Toxicity
Like Tall buttercup this species also has a bitter, acrid juice and may be poisonous to livestock.Media Items
Figure 1: Creeping buttercup. Top
Figure 2: Tall buttercup and creeping buttercup growing together. Top
Figure 3: Creeping buttercup in Central Ontario during June. Top
Figure 4: Yellow flower of creeping buttercup. Top
Figure 5: Seed heads of creeping buttercup. Top
Figure 6: Leaf of creeping buttercup with distinct short stalk on middle segment. Top
Figure 7: Top
Figure 8: Stem of creeping buttercup. Top