Testiculata is commonly known in English as bur (or burr) buttercup, but other names include curveseed butterwort, curve-seed buttercup and little bur. Named after the inflorescences which ripen into hard, spiny fruits or burs, the generic name Ceratocephala is derived from the Greek keras or keratos meaning a horn and kephale meaning the head. Growth Characteristics: Bur buttercup is a winter annual that emerges, flowers, and sets fruits in the spring, when temperatures climb into the 45-50 degree range. Plants only grow to be 2 or 3 inches tall. They often occur in dense mats which cover large areas of the ground. I've lived in Washington, Utah, and other parts of Idaho and have not seen the Burr Buttercup noxious weed until we moved to Boise. The Enemy: Bur buttercup (Ceratocephala testiculatus) (Ranunculus spp.) The Strategy: This is a low growing annual that emerges very early in the spring. This is the plant that we get phone calls on in spring when it is too late to do anything about it. It is a very short growing. Burr A drill bit used to cut hard tissues (e.g., enamel, bone) in dentistry or orthopaedics.
This is a re-post of my article from about one year ago.
![Buttercup Buttercup](/uploads/1/1/7/5/117502231/415964130.jpg)
Look around on road sides or bare disturbed ground and you are likely to see the small yellow flowers of Bur Buttercup (Ranunculus testiculatus). It is also known as Hornseed Buttercup or Horned-Head Buttercup. It is native to southeastern Europe (Balkan Peninsula). It was first recorded in North America from Utah in 1932. The first record for British Columbia, in southern regions, was in 1966 and it has spread widely since then.
Ceratocephala Testiculata
Bur Buttercup is low-growing but the yellow flowers stand out in early spring. G Hunt photo
It is an annual that flowers early in spring. Although it does not compete well with healthy grass, it can quickly occupy disturbed areas, our native grasslands included. It is toxic to livestock, especially sheep. It thrives particularly well on bare soil in campgrounds and seeds are easily dispersed on camping gear and vehicles. Control is by mechanical removal or herbicides.
Vsc gitar. Bur Buttercup forms a carpet on this popular walking area at RL Clemitson school in Barnhartvale. G Hunt photo Battery pulse charger reconditioning.
![Burr Buttercup Burr Buttercup](/uploads/1/1/7/5/117502231/178758807.jpg)
Burr Buttercup Latin Name
Bur Buttercup is not listed on the regulated or unregulated invasive plants in BC. You can see a list of invasive BC plant species here.
Burr Buttercup Control
Two more pictures taken by Rick Howie in 2017. This “stand” of Bur Buttercups is on East Shuswap Road.