# Bermuda buttercup (*Oxalis pes-caprae*) The Bermuda buttercup is a bright yellow flower that blooms in spring. Its leaves are shaped like little hearts, making it a cheerful sight in gardens and fields. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Sour grass ![Bermuda buttercup](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Oxalis-pes-caprae-16-Zachi-Evenor.jpg&width=800) Photo: M ath K night and Zachi Evenor אביר המתמטיקה וצחי אבנור, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oxalis-pes-caprae-16-Zachi-Evenor.jpg) ## Appearance The Bermuda buttercup has bright, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers, often with a hint of orange near the center. Its leaves are clover-like, with three heart-shaped leaflets, giving it a shamrock appearance. This perennial forms dense mats of vibrant green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Oxalidales - **Family:** Oxalidaceae - **Genus:** Oxalis ## Interesting facts - At night, its three heart-shaped leaves fold up tightly, like a sleepy little shamrock. - Despite its name, this plant isn't a true buttercup! It's actually a type of sorrel. - People call it 'sour grass' because its leaves taste tangy, like a lemon! - This plant regrows easily! Tiny underground bulblets sprout even if it's pulled. ## Special abilities - **Bulblet Blaster:** Bermuda buttercup can grow tiny underground bulblets that help it spread incredibly fast, even without seeds! - **Sun Tracker:** Bermuda buttercup flowers face the sun all day long, following its path across the sky to catch more rays. - **Tough Root Anchor:** Bermuda buttercup has deep, branching roots that help it survive in dry, poor soil where other plants struggle. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-30 cm - **Spread:** 15-45 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Winter to Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Honey bees visit flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Bumblebees are important visitors to its bright flowers. - **Eaten by:** [Garden snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — Snails can feed on the leaves, especially young plants. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low While the Bermuda buttercup is pretty, it's best to look and not eat it. Always ask an adult before touching plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bermuda buttercup? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Bermuda buttercup? 10-30 cm ### How wide does Bermuda buttercup spread? 15-45 cm ### How big are the flowers on Bermuda buttercup? 2-3 cm ### When does Bermuda buttercup bloom? Winter to Spring ### Is Bermuda buttercup edible? No ### Is Bermuda buttercup toxic? Mild ### What is Bermuda buttercup's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Eden Landing Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eden-landing-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Lake Oroville State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-oroville-state-recreation-area) — California, US · State Park - [Little Italy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/little-italy) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Presidio Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/presidio-park) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Cabrera Archipelago National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrera-archipelago-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park - [Aquatic Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aquatic-park-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District [View all places to see Bermuda buttercup](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bermuda-buttercup) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Bermuda buttercup: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bermuda-buttercup)