Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda Buttercup PFAF Plant Database

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Oxalis pes-caprae - L.

Common Name

Bermuda Buttercup

Family

Oxalidaceae

Synonyms

O. cernua.

Known Hazards

The leaves contain oxalic acid, which gives them their sharp flavour. Perfectly all right in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since oxalic acid can bind up the body's supply of calcium leading to nutritional deficiency. The quantity of oxalic acid will be reduced if the leaves are cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].

Habitats

Roadsides and grassy places in S. Africa[73]. Occasionally naturalized in S.W. England but it does not flower there[17].

Range

S. Africa. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Oxalis pes-caprae is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf 6-Oct It is in flower from Mar to June, and the seeds ripen from Apr to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.


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Habitats
Cultivated Beds; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves; Root. Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 173]. A pleasant acid flavour, the make a pleasant addition to mixed salads, whilst children especially like to eat them on their own[K]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet. Flowers - raw[K]. A pleasant acid flavour, they make an attractive addition to the salad bowl[K]. Root - cooked[22, 46, 103, 173].

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a sandy soil in a warm dry position[1]. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, though it is naturalized in parts of south-western England[1, 17]. It tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c[90]. Plants spread rapidly when in a suitable environment and can quite easily become a weed in virtually frost-free environments[200, 260]. Plants seldom produce seed in Europe but they spread by means of asexually produced bulbils[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
73200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2]Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.

Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[22]Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

Not very comprehensive, it seems more or less like a copy of earlier writings with little added.

[46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.

An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[73]Adamson. and Salter. Flora of the Cape Peninsula.

A good flora but rather short on details of habitat. Not for the casual reader.

[90]Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs

Superbly illustrated, it gives brief details on cultivation and native habitat.

[103]Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World.

Very readable and well illustrated, it lists plants by families giving the basic diagnostic features and some details of plant uses.

[173]Crowe. A. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand.

A very well written and illustrated book based on the authors own experiments with living on a native diet.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[260]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2

Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
	Thu Dec 30 07:26:18 2004

This plant is found in Malta/Mediterranean basin/Europe

More comprehensive details, medicinal properties, uses, botanical data, plant description and photogallery of high resolutions photos of this plant can be seen on an interesting website about the wild plants of Malta: www.maltawildplants.com

Link: Malta Wild Plants Website and photography by Stephen Mifsud, Malta.

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