Ceratocephala testiculata

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Bur Buttercup
Bur Buttercup plant
Conservation status
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Ceratocephala Species: C. testiculata
Binomial name
Ceratocephala testiculata Crantz (Roth)
Synonyms
Ceratocephala orthoceras DC. Ranunculus testiculatus Crantz (basionym)

Bur Buttercup (Ceratocephala testiculata) is a flowering plant that is native to Eurasia.^[1] It is very small, usually only about an inch or two tall, but potentially getting up to four inches. The flowers are small and dull yellow. The leaves are hairy and somewhat dissected. It produces a cluster of hard, spiny fruits (the 'burs'). Like other members of the buttercup family, they are poisonous. Where they are present in large numbers, it is usually an indication of excessive disturbance to the land.

The species is considered to be invasive in the northern and western United States. In the sagebrush country, it is one of the first plants to flower after the snow melts.

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