Raking the weed into an upright position prior to mowing will help weaken the weed. Promote healthy turf with good turf care practices, such as applying adequate nutrition and carrying out regular scarification & top dressing etc.Īs creeping buttercup is often an indication of poor drainage, practices, such as regular aeration that promote a dry turf surface will help prevent the weed invading. Prevention and control of creeping buttercup More images and free downloads of Creeping Buttercup Roots: This weed has fibrous roots (see image below)Ĭreeping Buttercup Images (click image to enlarge).The main flowering period of creeping buttercup is between May and August. On the underneath side of the petals are 5 green sepals (green floral leaves) that are somewhat shorter than the petals. Each flower consists of between 5 – 7 glossy yellow petals. Measuring 20mm – 30mm across they are borne singular or in clusters on long, hairy stalks. Flowers: The golden yellow flowers are typical of most buttercups.The measure anything from 15mm – 80mm in length. The basal leaves are divided into three segments (leaflets), each segment being deeply cut or lobed. They are dark green, sometimes with pale or dark flecks and are under close inspection covered in fine hairs. Leaves: The leaves are borne on long, hairy stalks ranging from 15mm – 250mm in length.Creeping buttercup can also reproduce from seed. If left undisturbed it can grow to a height of 50cm.Īs its name suggests this invasive weed spreads by stolons (overground runners), rooting at nodes with a deep fibrous root system. It is an invasive weed and can quickly colonise areas of turf. It is particularly troublesome in mown turf as it forms as a low growing rosette that can withstand a low cutting height. It is rare to find it on dry, free draining sites. A presence of creeping buttercup is often a good indicator of the aforementioned symptoms and remedial action needs to be taken to improve the drainage. It prefers heavy wet soils that often suffer from prolonged wetness and water logging. It is an easy weed to recognise with its lovely golden yellow flowers that can add an array of colour if the infestation is widespread. Return to the Table of Contents | Download a PDF of Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural AreasĪnd questions about the website should be directed to the webmaster.Creeping buttercup is perennial weed and the most common of the buttercups found in turf. Wood poppy ( Stylophorum canadense) and marsh marigold ( Caltha palustris) are two good native alternatives available depending on the conditions of the planting site. Use of systemic herbicides is also an option but should be done as early as possible to avoid impact to native plant species (see Control Options). For small infestations, clumps can be pulled by hand or dug up using a shovel, removing entire plants and as many tubers as possible. Look-alikes: marsh marigold ( Caltha palustris), a native relative in the buttercup family, wood or celandine poppy ( Stylophorum diphyllum) and greater celandine ( Chelidonium majus), native and non-native members of the poppy family, respectively.Ĭare should be taken to correctly identify fig buttercup before undertaking any control efforts to avoid removing native look-alike plants.Bulblets and tubers are easily carried downstream during flood events and may be unearthed and scattered by the digging activities of some animals. A mass of small, gray, fingerlike tuberous roots underlies each plant. The tiny cream-colored bulblets are attached to leafstalks and are easily dislodged from the plant. Spreads: primarily by bulblets and underground tubers.Aboveground portions of lesser celandine die back by early June. Flowers, fruits and seeds: glossy, butter-yellow flowers appear in March and April supported on delicate stalks above the leaves.Leaves: shiny, dark green, kidney-shaped, and stalked.Plant: perennial herbaceous spring ephemeral plant with thick tuberous roots and bulblets.Once established, it spreads rapidly, forming a solid green blanket across the ground through which native plants are unable to penetrate. It emerges in the winter in advance of most native species, giving it a great competitive advantage. It occurs most commonly on moist, forested floodplains and other wet areas.įig buttercup’s greatest threat is to native spring-flowering or “ephemeral” plants. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticutįig buttercup, also known as lesser celandine, was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant and many colorful varieties are currently available commercially.įig buttercup is currently found in 20 northeastern states and in Oregon, Washington and several Canadian provinces.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |