PlantFunCorn buttercup Toxic?
Toxic protoanemonin forms when the plant is wilted or damaged; fully dried hay and silage aged over 2 months are non-toxic
Ingestion of large amounts (2kg for horses) or prolonged exposure over 3 weeks causes severe irritation, neurological symptoms, and rare fatalities
All parts of the fresh, undamaged plant contain the non-toxic precursor that converts to poison upon tissue damage
FAQ
Is Corn buttercup toxic to Humans?
No specific human exposure data available; may cause mild skin irritation on contact with damaged plants, and oral/gastrointestinal irritation if ingested (Low)
Is Corn buttercup toxic to Cats?
No species-specific data available; expected to cause mild oral irritation, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested in quantity (Low)
Is Corn buttercup toxic to Dogs?
No species-specific data available; expected to cause mild oral irritation, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested in quantity (Low)
Is Corn buttercup toxic to Horses?
Mild gastroenteritis with small ingestion; 2kg+ ingestion or 3+ weeks of exposure causes blistering, redness/swelling of mouth/lips with salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, colic, weakness, blood in urine, tremors, seizures, paralysis, rare death from respiratory paralysis, and possible udder inflammation with discolored bitter milk in lactating mares (High)
Toxicity Details
No specific human exposure data available; may cause mild skin irritation on contact with damaged plants, and oral/gastrointestinal irritation if ingested
No species-specific data available; expected to cause mild oral irritation, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested in quantity
No species-specific data available; expected to cause mild oral irritation, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested in quantity
Mild gastroenteritis with small ingestion; 2kg+ ingestion or 3+ weeks of exposure causes blistering, redness/swelling of mouth/lips with salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, colic, weakness, blood in urine, tremors, seizures, paralysis, rare death from respiratory paralysis, and possible udder inflammation with discolored bitter milk in lactating mares
Toxicity Snapshot
First Aid & Prevention
First 30 Minutes
- • Remove all remaining plant material from the animal's mouth and immediate environment
- • Rinse the oral cavity with cool clean water to reduce mucous membrane irritation
- • Monitor closely for onset of salivation, blistering, diarrhea or behavioral changes
Contact Vet Immediately
- • If the animal ingested more than a small handful of fresh/wilted corn buttercup
- • If symptoms like colic, tremors, difficulty breathing, or blood in urine appear
- • If a horse ingested 1kg or more of fresh plant material
Prevention
- • Inspect pastures and fresh forage supplies for corn buttercup growth before grazing/feeding
- • Ensure silage is cured for a minimum of 2 months before feeding to livestock
- • Avoid turning out hungry livestock into pastures with heavy Ranunculus infestation
Treatment & Prognosis
- • Administer decontamination measures as clinically appropriate
- • Provide mucous membrane protectants to reduce gastrointestinal irritation
- • Administer antihistamines for inflammatory reactions if indicated
- • Provide supportive care for neurological or respiratory symptoms as needed
Professional Toxicology
• Non-toxic ranunculin in intact plant tissue is converted to toxic protoanemonin via enzymatic cleavage when the plant is wilted, crushed or damaged
• Protoanemonin acts as a strong irritant to skin and mucous membranes, and causes neurological damage in high doses
• Protoanemonin rapidly dimerizes to non-toxic anemonin when the plant is fully dried, or fermented in silage for 2+ months
Information from CliniTox veterinary text.
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Data Sources
This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.