Turnera Buttercup

This is the first season I’ve grown white Cuban buttercup, Turnera trioniflora. I planted it in a large container on my back deck as the spiller portion of the thriller, filler, and spiller planting technique.

Flowers that open and close

Plant database entry for Yellow Buttercup (Turnera subulata) with 6 images and 32 data details. Plant database entry for Beach Buttercup (Turnera ulmifolia 'Alba') with 2 images, 2 comments, and 34 data details. Turnera goes by several common names, including Cuban (or Brazilian) Buttercup, Yellow Alder, or ramgoat dash-along - an inference that it increases the sexual libido of goats when they eat the foliage. It is a tropical shrubby perennial growing to 4 feet tall and wide but. Turnera ulmifolia (Yellow Alder, Cuban Buttercup, Ramgoat Dashalong, Sage Rose, West Indian Holly) The Yellow Alder or Cuban Buttercup produces very attractive showy and vibrant yellow flowers. A free flowering shrub that blooms all year long in the tropic. Native to the Caribbean, the Cuban Buttercup is the official flower of Cienfuegos, Cuba. Turnera Ulmifolia possesses Antiinflammatory and Expectorant property. It is good for Gastric problems including Constipation and Diarrhea. The leaves of the herb are rich in Sterols. It is used for treating Hair loss and Thrush. An infusion of leaves of the herb are used to treat Dysentery. A tea made from the leaves acts as Aphrodisiac.

I love how white Cuban buttercup opens early in the morning as soon as the sun hits it. It closes up shop around Noon or so. Of course, if we have a cloudy day, it stays open longer. Flowers that only open for part of the day add a little mystery to things, and I find I look for their presence in the garden more.Mirabilis jalapa, four o’clocks, Portulaca grandiflora, rose moss, Ipomoea alba, moonflower, and Ipomoea purpurea, morning glories, are other flowers that quickly come to mind with specific opening and closing times. I wrote about morning glories in ten more easy flowers to grow in Oklahoma. Four o’clocks were featured in summer flowers for summer heat.

A tropical temptation

White Cuban buttercup, Turnera trioniflora, is tropical and won’t overwinter in Oklahoma’s Zone 6a through 8b climate. I’m sure you could take cuttings, and it may form seed, but, if so, I haven’t seen it so far this year. Mine is a trailing variety that looks great at the front of a pot or a flowerbed.

Sometimes, simple flowers are better

White Cuban buttercup is a simple flower to grow. I bought mine at Bustani Plant Farm. Remember, tropical plants are a summer garden’s best friend.

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Turnera White Buttercup

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Meet Turnera subulata, also known as Yellow Alder, White Alder, Yellow Buttercup, Politician’s Flower and Sage Rose. By whatever name you prefer, you’ll find a reliable, easy-to-grow plant that will provide lots of color in your garden. T. subulata is a perennial herb that reaches about 2 ft. high and can be grown as a nice low shrub or ground cover. It is generally considered native to the Caribbean Basin, although some observers have tried to broaden its natural distribution to include Florida, Mexico, Central America and South America. This popular species not only attracts butterflies, but the brown “eye” inside each blossom lures bees to assist in pollination. Flowers open at sunrise and fold at dusk, to be succeeded by new ones the next day.

The plant is not at all particular about soil types. Moreoever, it does not require much in the way of fertilizer to support deep green foliage. You should grow it in full sun to achieve best flowering and form. This species has an open growth habit which can become leggy with age. However, if you prefer a more compact look, simply cut stems back periodically to make your plants branch closer to the ground. Aside from that exercising that option, maintenance on Turnera is minimal.

In at least two significant ways, T. subulata is superior to Impatiens: It is drought-tolerant once established, a feature of increasing importance now that Miami-Dade County is under permanent watering restrictions. In addition, it flowers year-round.

T. subulata has proven to have medicinal value as an herbal remedy for coughs and bronchitis. A study published by a Malaysian university in March 2012 reported that extracts prepared from various parts of this plant — particularly leaves — possess significant capacity to scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidants.

Richard Lyons’ Nursery has Turnera available in 1-gal. containers.