The buttercup with the botanical name Ranunculus sceleratus is not called poison buttercup for nothing. But it is best known by the term "buttercup". The attractiveness of the wild-growing plant tempts you to touch and pick it. But in this article you can find out how dangerous it really is for people and animals and what symptoms can occur.
Poison Ranunculus
Look
So that you know which plant it is, which is referred to as poisonous buttercup, you should also be able to recognize it.
Poison buttercup, Ranunculus sceleratus
Optical details
- Basal true leaves
- Leaves alternate on the stem
- In the upper area they grow narrowly elliptical or elongated-lanceolate
- Serrated basal leaves are predominantly three-part and long-stemmed
- Golden-yellow, hermaphrodite flowers with a diameter of between one and one centimeter
- the petals are slightly shiny
- They reach a height of between 30 and 100 centimeters
Typical properties
- Grows mainly on damp meadows, on field edges, on ponds and streams as well as on compacted lawns
- Blooms from May to September
- Between July and October follicles or nuts are formed
High risk of confusion
Ranunculus sceleratus is similar to many other buttercup species. This makes clear identification difficult. However, since most are also poisonous, you should be careful with all species. Above all, the following buttercups could possibly be mistaken for the one mentioned here. However, their toxicity is no less dangerous:
- Burning buttercup
- Bulbous Ranunculus
- Spicy buttercup
toxin
It is the sap that is the so-called protoanemonin contains. This is a toxin that, under certain conditions, can even be fatal if consumed in small amounts. Prerequisites are extensive consumption of poisonous plant parts or smaller, more susceptible organisms. With the protoanemonin, nature has created a protection against being eaten by hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats, but also horses and cows. The protoanemonin acts on the central nervous system.
Poisonous parts of plants
The ranunculus plant shows toxicity in all existing parts of the plant. The poison content is particularly high at the roots. Whether flowers, leaves, stalks or parts of roots, symptoms of poisoning can occur on contact and especially after consumption.
Dried buttercup
If the ranunculus has dried, there is no risk of poisoning. With drying, the plant sap decreases and is no longer present when it is completely dry. Nevertheless, for example when plucking green fodder for a rabbit or other animal, there should not be too much dried buttercup. There is still a residual doubt as to whether a small part of the dried plant parts could still be slightly poisonous.
Toxicity to humans and animals
The buttercups can cause symptoms of poisoning in humans and animals. Small children and animals in particular are exposed to a high risk of contact and can have serious health consequences. Eating just a few seeds can be fatal.
symptoms
skin contact
In adult humans, the body usually reacts less strongly to skin contact with the plant sap than in small children or smaller pets such as dogs, cats or guinea pigs. Otherwise, the picture is identical, which shows up as symptoms of poisoning as follows:
- itching
- skin redness
- Formation of skin blisters (ranunculus dermatitis)
- skin inflammation
- burning sensation
consumption of plant parts
While life-threatening consequences are not to be expected in the event of skin contact, the situation is different when consuming ranunculus. Children, the elderly and small animals are particularly at risk because their immune system has a much harder time fighting the plant toxin than a healthy, strong adult. the symptoms can manifest themselves as follows:
- burning in the mouth
- blistering in the mouth
- stomach and abdominal pain
- Vomit
- diarrhea
- body aches
- dizziness
- balance disorders
- signs of paralysis
- Breathing becomes difficult and can even lead to respiratory arrest
- Heart and circulatory problems - in the worst case to cardiac arrest
Additional signs in animals
- Continuous panting
- foaming in the mouth
- Strong thirst
- No longer responds to speech
- In the advanced stage: drowsy and do not want to get up
- Horses, cows, sheep: colic
- heavy breathing
First aid
First aid for skin contact
If skin contact with a Ranunculus sceleratus is suspected or has actually taken place, then the contact point on the skin should be washed off immediately, ideally with a neutral soap under lukewarm water. This should also be done with animals.
In any case, avoid getting the sap in your mouth. If it is not known whether this has already happened to small children or animals, a doctor/veterinarian should be contacted or consulted immediately.
First aid when eating ranunculus
doctor
If the amount of the consumed toxin is not known and/or if it is a question of children, elderly people or pets, a doctor/veterinarian must be informed immediately.
No milk
It is often claimed that milk is the best first aid for poisoning. However, the opposite is the case, since milk favors/accelerates the absorption of the poison into the blood.
charcoal tablets
Charcoal tablets reduce intestinal activity and thicken the intestinal contents, so that the plant toxin can have less of an effect on the bloodstream and thus on the central nervous system.
Do not induce vomiting
Under no circumstances should you induce vomiting. Because especially in children, this can lead to serious health problems in addition to poisoning.
In adult humans
As an adult, if you only got a tiny bit of the poison in your mouth, rinse it out vigorously. Reactions such as a burning mouth or nausea with vomiting or diarrhea can occur. But there is no danger to life. Nevertheless, you should consult a doctor to treat the side effects.
prevention
plant removal
Keep an eye out for buttercups in your garden, especially the poisonous buttercup, if you have children or pets. If the plant has "nestled" in your garden, remove it immediately. It should not end up in the compost or simply in the household waste. Burning is the best way to ensure that children or animals do not get to the poisonous plant.
Grazing animals such as horses or cows usually rely on their instincts and avoid the buttercup. But the distance is also recommended here. If a pasture has been eaten bare or mowed short, it still happens that grazing animals eat the poisonous plant.
avoid contact
Avoid touching the Ranunculus sceleratus. High gloves and careful handling of the plant are advisable for removal. After pulling out, make sure that no parts of the plant are left behind. All are to be removed. Caution is required, especially when removing flowering buttercups. You could lose seeds, which not only lead to reproduction, but are also poisonous.
notice: Please note that this article is by no means a substitute for a doctor's visit. There is no guarantee of the correctness of medical statements.
Detailed information on first aid in the event of poisoning and important information on the poison control centers can be found here.