Description

Creeping buttercup is a perennial which has long stolon-like stems. Bulbous buttercup is also a perennial but forms a rosette instead of having runners. Creeping buttercup will often root at nodes along the stems. The leaves are 3 lobed; the middle lobe has a long stalked base. The leaves of bulbous buttercup are more deeply toothed than creeping buttercup. Leaves are dark green and sometimes have light spots. The flowers of both plants are yellow, with 5 shiny petals. The flower of creeping buttercup is larger than bulbous buttercup. Both buttercups reproduce by seed, but only creeping buttercup spreads by runners.  Both prefer moist soils and are frequently found in moist meadows, in lawns and along ditchbanks. Both are distributed throughout the northern United States. Related species such as tall buttercup are not found in mowed turf areas.