| When is a flower a weed? Or when is a weed a flower |
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| Written by Jungle Jim | |
| Sunday, 22 February 2009 | |
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As you drive around the older areas in Modesto the most conspicuous
flower you see is a mass of golden yellow. If you get out of the car
and look in most cases you will see a typical oxalis or clover or
shamrock shaped leaf. the flower is in clusters on a stem that is 6 to
10 inches long. If you bite into it you get a sour taste that is common
with oxalis. This oxalis is called Bermuda Buttercup with a botanical name Oxalis pes-caprae. It is a plant native to South Africa. It is noted for forming bulblets under ground and has seeds that pop up to 10 ft or more.
What makes it a flower is obvious when you see the show going on now. It is tough, likes the shade and comes back reliably forever.
What makes it a weed is that it is tough, likes the shade and comes
back reliably for years. In addition it spreads if you ever move soil
form an infested area to a clean area. In addition in addition it is
very difficult to get rid of. In many older gardens it has taken over.
You see it especially in gardens that date back to the 20's and the
30's. It is common in the downtown area in the number and letter
streets on both sides of the freeway. You also see it in the Graceda
park area over to the old John Muir school site.I also see a lot of it at the old farmsteads out in the country.
As a kid, I remember sucking on the flower stocks for the sour taste. I still can appreciate the early spring show in other people's yards. Is it a weed? Is it a flower? The answer is YES!
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