Bermuda buttercup.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

30 to 40 cm

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 8 to 10

Bloom time

Late winter to mid spring

Entretien

Provide plenty of sun and well draining soil to keep this plant happy. Watch for rapid spread as it can easily take over garden beds. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent bulb rot.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Remove dead foliage after the plant enters dormancy in late spring.

Repotting

Repot only when the bulbs become too crowded in the container.

Soil

Sandy, well draining soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly acidic

Temperature

5 to 25°C

Humidity

30 to 50%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Sécurité

People

The plant is considered toxic due to its high concentration of soluble oxalates.

Pets

This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested due to soluble calcium oxalates.

Children

Keep this plant away from young children as the leaves are tempting to pick and potentially harmful if ingested in quantity.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There are no significant reports of airborne allergens associated with this plant.

Edibility

While some people eat the leaves, they contain high levels of oxalic acid which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.

Comment l'identifier

• Bright yellow funnel shaped flowers
• Three heart shaped clover like leaflets
• Leaves often have dark purple spots
• Grows from small underground bulbs

Height

0.15 to 0.4m

Spread

0.2 to 0.5m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

yellow, 2 to 3cm

Problèmes courants

• Rust — Fungal infections can cause orange spots on the foliage during damp weather.
• Aphids — Small insects may cluster on the undersides of leaves and flower stalks.

La cultiver

Propagation

division, bulblets

When to plant

autumn

Overwintering

In cold climates, move pots indoors or allow the foliage to die back naturally as the bulbs go dormant for the summer.

In containers

It grows very well in containers, which is recommended to prevent it from becoming an invasive pest in your garden.

Plant this in containers to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably into your garden beds.

Bonnes associations

• Blue Fescue — The contrasting texture of the grass complements the clover like leaves.
• Lavender — Both plants enjoy similar sunny conditions and well draining soil.

Espèces similaires

• Wood Sorrel — It shares the characteristic three lobed leaves and sour taste.

Science

Family

Oxalidaceae

Genus

Oxalis

Order

Oxalidales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

South Africa.

Conservation

It is not of conservation concern and is actually considered a highly invasive weed in many parts of the world.

It thrives in disturbed soils and open areas, utilizing its bulbous root system to survive long dry summers.

Value to wildlife

early nectar source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

ornamental groundcover, botanical curiosity

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Is it easy to grow?

It is extremely easy to grow, often becoming a persistent weed in gardens.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in containers, which helps keep its invasive bulbils contained.

D'où vient le nom

The name Oxalis comes from the Greek word for sour, referring to the acidic taste of the leaves, while pes-caprae means goat's foot, describing the leaf shape.

Bon à savoir

• The flowers close up tightly during cloudy weather or at night.
• It is often called Bermuda buttercup despite not being a true buttercup.
• The plant spreads aggressively through tiny underground bulbils.
• It is native to South Africa but has naturalized globally.