Mexican Brassbuttons: A Little-Known Annual Worth Understanding
If you’ve stumbled across the name Mexican brassbuttons (Cotula mexicana) in your gardening research, you might be wondering what exactly this plant is and whether it belongs in your garden. This small annual is part of the daisy family, though it’s not as well-documented as many of its more popular cousins.
What is Mexican Brassbuttons?
Mexican brassbuttons is a non-native annual forb that has found its way into California’s landscape. As a forb, it’s an herbaceous plant without woody tissue – think of it as a soft-stemmed plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. The name brassbuttons likely refers to the small, button-like flowers characteristic of plants in the Cotula genus.
Where Does It Grow?
Currently, Mexican brassbuttons is found in California, though as a non-native species, it originally hails from Mexico (as the name suggests). This introduced plant has managed to establish itself and reproduce in the wild without human assistance.
- Species observed
- No observations
Garden Suitability and Growing Conditions
Here’s where things get a bit tricky – there’s limited specific information about Mexican brassbuttons’ horticultural requirements and garden performance. What we do know is that it prefers upland conditions, meaning it’s not fond of consistently wet soils. In California’s arid regions, it’s considered an obligate upland plant, while in the state’s mountainous and coastal areas, it shows more flexibility with moisture levels.
Should You Plant It?
While Mexican brassbuttons isn’t currently listed as invasive or noxious, its status as a non-native plant means you might want to consider native alternatives first. California has an abundance of beautiful native annuals that provide similar garden interest while supporting local ecosystems.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Instead of Mexican brassbuttons, consider these California native options:
- Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) – cheerful yellow blooms
- California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) – the state flower
- Tidy tips (Layia platyglossa) – white flowers with yellow tips
- Baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) – delicate blue flowers
The Bottom Line
Mexican brassbuttons remains something of a mystery in the gardening world, with limited cultivation information available. If you’re set on growing it, treat it like other small annuals – provide well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. However, given California’s incredible diversity of native wildflowers, you might find more satisfaction (and ecological benefit) in choosing a native alternative that’s better documented and easier to grow successfully.
Remember, the best garden plants are often those that naturally belong in your region. They’re typically easier to grow, require fewer resources, and provide the greatest benefit to local wildlife and pollinators.