• East view from Crissy Field overlook with old Coast Guard station on left and city on right

    Presidio of San Francisco

    California

Bermuda Buttercup

(Oxalis pes-caprae)
 
bermuda buttercup
Yellow flowers of the Bermuda Buttercup near Battery Crosby.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Origin Of Genus Name: Oxalis is Greek for "sour."

Presidio Locations: Found throughout the Presidio especially in disturbed areas.

Range In State: California coast.

Description: This exotic perennial species is from South Africa and has funnel-shaped, yellow flowers with 5 petals. The leaves are clover-like and have leaflets grouped in threes; each is heart-shaped and creased down the middle. The plant contains high levels of oxalic acid making it sour. Bermuda Buttercup has edible leaves, often used in salads. Blooms March to May.

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Did You Know?

Jerry Garica was a founding member of the Grateful Dead.

A young Jerry Garcia was stationed at the Presidio during his brief service in the U.S. Army. Over the course of his nine-month career, Garcia went AWOL eight times and received two court-martials.