Bur Buttercup versus Puncturevine, knowing the difference between these spring weeds

One of the early spring weeds found in Adams County is Bur Buttercup. It is often confused with Puncturevine because of the bur type seed. Both are annuals but only Puncturevine is a noxious weed. Bur Buttercups emerge, flower and form seed early in the spring usually before Puncturevine even emerges. Bur Buttercup is highly toxic to livestock, especially sheep. It is a small, low growing plant that grows two to five inches tall. It has one, to several, leafless stems arising from a cluster of basal leaves. Many white or grayish woolly hairs cover the stem and fruit. The five petal flowers are...