Buttercups (Ranunculus repens L)


vary from smooth to densely hairy, alternate and often clustered, mostly on long stalks.


Reproductive method


It produces new individual plants (clones) through stolons which develop adventitious roots at nodes along their length. In spring, lateral stolons are produced in the axils of leaves of overwintering rosettes and stolon production continues, peaking in late summer. In Autumn the runner will die back leaving a new individual plant.


Form / Appearance


Originating in Europe, where it remains concentrated, Ranunculus repens is a low growing perennial herbaceous plant. Having a short swollen stem base, fibrous roots and delicate yellow flowers. It is common in pastures and sports fields particularly when wet soil conditions prevail. Generally its presence is a good indicator to groundsmen that they have heavy soils (clay loam-clay soils) or may have surface water drainage problems.


As its name (repens) suggests it will ‘creep’ by means of runners. Mature height of buttercups is 18” to 24” (45cm to 60cm) however, in turf situations, it will only reach the maintained turf grass height.


Roots


The plant can regenerate itself from stolons, short runners that root freely at the nodes. The plant anchors itself by a very fibrous rooting structure.


Flowers


Buttercups flower from April to August with each flower producing about twenty seeds. However, flowering will be reduced in close mown turf. The small seeds may be dispersed by wind, bird droppings, farm animals and rodents.


Flowers are golden yellow and 2-3 cm in diameter having six to nine petals, produced on erect stalks.


Leaves


Basal and lower stem leaves are usually dark green and stalked with three lobes. Stems range from growing prostrate to sometimes nearly erect. Leaf surfaces can


Stolon production appears to be especially responsive to environmental conditions: short stolons typically arise in dense turf and much longer ones appear in open fields or woodlands.


Buttercups can also reproduce themselves from seed formed from the flowers. These seeds get transported by wind birds and animals and can remain viable in the soil for many years.


Habitat


Prefers partial shade or partial sun to full sun; soil should be dry to moist. Miscellaneous info


It can tolerate heavy, wet soils and will withstand periods of water logging and thus can be a problem on well-watered lawns. Creeping buttercups can colonise most soil situations if sufficient moisture is present.


Creeping Buttercup is a vigorous plant that can become invasive in the right conditions and, in some cases, is often used as a ground cover plant in landscaping projects.


Cultural Control


Buttercups can be mechanically or physically removed. Care should be taken to ensure that all roots are thoroughly removed. Close mowing prevents seed head formation, whilst maintaining a dense sward will deter or prevent Buttercups from establishing.


Chemical Control


Apply selective broadleaf herbicides when plant growth is active. There are a number of products available for controlling broad leaf weeds in established turf.


These chemicals are best used when the weeds are actively growing, usually between April- October.


Catchdale Moss Farm, Eccleston St Helens WA10 5QG


info@amenitycontracting.co.uk Tel: 01744 885098 Fax: 01744 886001 Mobile: 07711 004000


Tritox (Contains 178g/L (16.2%w/w) MCPA 54.g/L(4.9%w/w) mecoprop- p and 15g/L (1.4%w/w) dicamba and potassium salts. Scotts.


Intrepid 2. (Contains 20.8g/L dicamba,166g/L dichlorprop-p ans 166.5g/L MCPA). Scotts.


Greenor. (Contains: 40g/L fluroxypyr, 20g/L clopyralid and 200g/L MCPA). Rigby Taylor.


Bastion T. (Contains: 72g/L fluroxypyr and 300g/L mecoprop-p ). Rigby Taylor.


Dormone (Contains 465g/L2,4-D(38.1%w/w) as the diethanolamine salt). A herbicide which can be used near water. Bayer Environmental Science.


Supertox 30 (Contains 95g/L (8.8%w/w) mecoprop-p and 93.5g/L(8.7%w/w) as the diethanolamine salts). Bayer Environmental Science.


These herbicides are usually applied as a liquid using watering cans, knapsack sprayers and vehicle mounted sprayers.


Ensure you follow manufacturer's directions, health & safety and product data sheets, and comply with COSHH regulations, when using these chemicals.


Herbicides are an effective tool where high quality turf is desired. However, they must be applied with care and accuracy and in the context of a good overall turf management programme. Before using any herbicide, carefully review the label for conditions of use including rates, methods of application, and precautions. Never use a herbicide in any manner contrary to its label and be sure that the herbicide will not injure the turfgrass species


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... or what Pitchcare readers get up to out of office hours


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