Creeping Buttercup

Ranunculus repens

General - Creeping Buttercup is a perennial weed that spreads by seed and overground runners called stolons.

This weed can adapt to mowing heights making it a common weed in mown turf especially in wet poorly drained soil conditions.

Leaves - The leaves have 3 lobes, the upper lobe is stalked. The leaves of Creeping Buttercup are deeply toothed and can either be smooth or hairy.

Flowers - The flowers produce 6 to 9 yellow petals 20mm to 30mm in diameter. Creeping Buttercup flowers between April to August.

Roots - The weed has a fibrous root system which regenerates from the nodes.

Habitat - Creeping Buttercup prefers wet heavy soils. This weed is often an indicator of drainage problems in turf.

Cultural Control - Hand weeding can be effective, taking care to remove the whole plant. Regular mowing will suppress seed head formation. Encouraging a tight, healthy lawn will help prevent weeds invading the lawn.

Chemical Control - Creeping Buttercup can be controlled using a selective weed killers, however this method of control should only be used when necessary.

Choose a weed killer that contains 2,4-D and (mecoprop-p or dicamba). Alternatively a weed killer that contains fluroxypyr should be effective against this weed. For the best results treat weeds when they are actively growing, this is usually between April and September.