Meadow buttercup

Ranunculus acris

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

Leaves, Roots, Sap/Juice, Stems

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

poisonous

Hazard route

ingestion (NC State describes livestock poisoning from eating it)

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

Pet verdict: toxic. ASPCA lists a close relative in the same genus (figwort, a different Ranunculus species) as toxic to pets; NC State's own species page for Ranunculus acris lists it as a Medium-severity poison (toxic principle ranunculin).

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Not checked yet
Family: Ranunculaceae (NC State Extension)

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

How we choose sources

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