Flora of the Month: Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis Pes-Caprae)

PRODUCED BY THE TREASURE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND SAN FRANCISCO ENVIRONMENT JANUARY 2019 Flora of the Month: Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae)

Also known simply as Yellow Oxalis, this pretty little flower is in fact an invasive species! It’s one you may be familiar with in your own neighborhood. Endangered in it’s native South Africa, it is an unfettered scourge in our coastal prairies and grasslands here in California. The plant rapidly creates a competitive root system that muscles out future generations of many native flora. Oxalis starts to flower in January, but its bulbs begin forming in the fall making it a difficult weed to manage. The best strategies for eradicating this species is prevention and proactive controlling of populations while they are small.

Photo: © Aurora Perez https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/14808665 Info: Univ. of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources https://ucanr.edu/ and Yerba Buena Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, http://cnps-yerbabuena.org/

Community Partner Spotlight: Golden Gate Audubon Society

Founded in 1917, the Golden Gate Audubon Society (GGAS) is a leader “If I had my way about in Bay Area conservation focused on protecting native birds and other national parks, I would wildlife species in the San Francisco Bay Area, create one without a particularly in the City and County of San road in it. I would have Francisco and western Alameda and Contra it impenetrable forever Costa counties. The GGAS works to conserve to automobiles, a place and restore wildlife habitats, to connect people where man would not try of all ages and backgrounds with the natural to improve upon God.” world and educate and engage Bay Area residents in the protection of our shared, local Harold L. Ickes, environment. United States Secretary An independent, non-profit organization, GGAS staff and volunteers of the Interior - 1933 participate regularly in YBI Stewardship Volunteer Work Parties, and GGAS also supports the habitat restoration efforts of a variety of local land managers on a year-round basis, working with agencies that include TIDA, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and the National Park Service.

For full information on the GGAS, including membership information and volunteer opportunities, visit: https://goldengateaudubon.org/

Seaside daisies on eastern YBI

Join Us for Monthly YBI Habitat Restoration Volunteer Days! Third Wednesday of Each Month from 1 PM to 3 PM!

What: Restoring YBI’s native habitat, propagating native species, shoreline litter pick -up, removing invasive plant species.

Where: Locations vary by month and are posted on the website at sftreasureisland.org/YBI/stewardship; or meet at the Administration Building Parking Lot, 1 Avenue of the Palms, by 1:00 PM for a ride to the work site.

All ages and abilities welcome! | Drop-Ins Welcome! | Use of MUNI 25 bus encouraged!