[Wikipedia] Range, Toxicity, Etymology: Ranunculus repens, the creeping buttercup, is a flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to Europe, Asia and northwestern Africa.[1][2] It is also called creeping crowfoot and (along with restharrow) sitfast.[3] Like most buttercups, Ranunculus repens is poisonous, although when dried with hay these poisons are lost. The taste of buttercups is acrid, so cattle avoid eating them. The plants then take advantage of the cropped ground around it to spread their stolons. Creeping buttercup also is spread through the transportation of hay. Contact with the sap of the plant can cause skin blistering.[10] Etymology Ranunculus is a diminutive of 'rana', meaning 'little frog'. This name is in reference to the amphibious habitat of many Ranunculus species.[11] Repens means 'creeping' or 'stoloniferous'.[11] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

[Cal-IPC] Invasive Info: Ranunculus repens (creeping buttercup) is a spreading perennial forb/herb (family Ranunculaceae), found in many coastal areas of California. It can sometimes form large monocultures, especially in moist areas. Cal-IPC Rating: Limited (link added by Mary Ann Machi)