Giant Buttercup (Ranunculus Acris)

Provided by Dow AgroSciences

The Giant Buttercup is a hairy perennial, with erect solid stems up to 1.5 m tall. It grows from a stout rhizome. It has large leaves, deeply divided into 3-7 segments. The flowers are yellow and up to 25 mm in diameter on round hairy stalks. The giant buttercup begins to grow strongly in the spring and starts to flower in November and December.

Seedlings are difficult to identify until the strongly pointed leaves develop. The giant buttercup prefers well drained land with high rainfall. In drier areas it is confined to ditches and wet patches.

In New Zealand the common areas that the giant buttercup grows are in the South Waikato, Taranaki, Pahiatua and Golden Bay in the South Island. It does appear in other areas but is not well established.

Control

• The product of choice for the control of Giant Buttercup is Preside* herbicide. Preside* is clover and grass friendly and can be used either through a boom or as a spot spray application.
• The best time to spray the giant buttercup is prior to flowering in October and November.
• Preside* will also control other weeds such as Indian Hedge Mustard, Annual Buttercups, Field Chickweed and will provide very good suppression of Oxeye Daisy.
  NB: Always use Uptake* Spraying Oil with Preside* to ensure the best results.
• Dow Agro Sciences is currently undertaking trial work with Tordon* MAX on giant buttercup and it is showing good activity on this weed as a spot application.

* Registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences.