Fauna
Plant

Cursed Crowfoot

Ranunculus sceleratus

Also known as Celery-leaved Buttercup, Cursed Buttercup, Blister Buttercup

Cursed crowfoot thrives along muddy pond margins and shallow ditches, sending up hollow, fleshy stems lined with glossy, three-lobed leaves that resemble celery. Small pale-yellow flowers bloom from late spring into autumn, each maturing into a distinctive elongated, thimble-shaped cluster of seeds. Crushed tissues release a potent blistering toxin that deters grazing animals and earned the plant its ominous common name.

WetlandToxicFlowering
Cursed Crowfoot reference1 / 7
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Brian Finzel · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
  • Waterfowl
  • Leaf beetles
  • Slugs
ThreatsWetland drainage, habitat alteration, and agricultural runoff
HabitatsShallow ponds, marshes, ditches, mudflats, and streambanks across temperate and boreal regions
Life spanAnnual (occasionally biennial)
Classification
  1. FamilyRanunculaceae
  2. SpeciesRanunculus sceleratus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Sap causes painful skin blisters and all parts are toxic if ingested; admire without touching or picking.
Why it is dangerous
Crushed stems and leaves release protoanemonin, an acrid compound that blisters skin and mucous membranes on contact and causes severe mouth pain, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress if swallowed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for hollow, fleshy, furrowed stems, glossy three-lobed basal leaves resembling celery, and tiny pale-yellow five-petaled flowers above elongated cylindrical seed clusters.
What to do
Observe without touching or snapping stems; if sap contacts skin, wash the area immediately with soap and cool water.
Responsible observation
  • Observe Safely: Wear waterproof gloves if removing this plant from garden ponds, as the sap blisters skin.
  • Look Closer: Check for the elongated, cylindrical seed heads that set it apart from most other buttercups.
  • Protect Pets: Keep dogs and livestock away from dense stands along pond edges.
Related species
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