City goosefoot (Oxybasis urbica) Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses

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City goosefoot

Oxybasis urbica

Also known as: Triangular-leaved goosefoot

City goosefoot (Oxybasis urbica) can be found across the world. While it is unable to survive in shade, it thrives in disturbed habitats. The plant's leaves are shaped like the foot of a goose, which explains the name goosefoot. Gold and green dyes can be extracted from it. City goosefoot is easily confused with nettle-leaved goosefoot, which grows primarily in wetlands.

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Flower Color

Yellow

Green

Bloom Time

Summer, Fall

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Pinks, cacti, and allies

Family

Amaranth

Genus

Oxybasis

Species

City goosefoot

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Distribution Map

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Questions About City goosefoot

Watering

What is the best way to water my City goosefoot?

To water City goosefoot, you can use a garden hose with a spray nozzle, a watering can, or just about any other common watering tool. Generally, City goosefoot is not too picky about how they receive their water, as they can live off of rainwater, tap water, or filtered water. Often, you should try not to water this plant from overhead, as doing so can damage the leaves and flowers and may lead to disease as well. At times, the best method for watering this plant is to set up a drip irrigation system. These systems work well for City goosefoot as they apply water evenly and directly to the soil. For one City goosefoot that grows in a container, you can use a similar watering approach while changing the tools you use. To water a container-grown City goosefoot, use a cup, watering can, or your tap to apply water directly to the soil.

What should I do if I water my City goosefoot too much or too little?

The remedy for underwatering City goosefoot is somewhat obvious. When you notice that your plant lacks moisture, simply begin watering it on a more regular basis. The issue of overwatering can be a much more dire situation, especially if you fail to notice it early. When your City goosefoot is overwatered, it may contract diseases that lead to its decline and death. The best way to prevent this outcome is to choose a proper growing location, one that receives plenty of sunlight to help dry the soil and has good enough drainage to allow excess water to drain rather than pooling and causing waterlogged soils. If you overwater your City goosefoot that lives in a pot, you may need to consider changing it to a new pot. Your previous container may not have contained soil with good drainage or may not have had sufficient drainage holes. As you repot your overwatered City goosefoot, make sure to add loose soils and to use a pot that drains efficiently.

How often should I water my City goosefoot?

City goosefoot needs water regularly throughout the growing season. Beginning in spring, you should plan to water this plant about once per week. As the season presses on and grows warmer, you may need to increase your watering rate to about two to three times per week. Exceeding at this rate can be detrimental to your City goosefoot. With that said, you should also ensure that the soil in which your City goosefoot grows remains relatively moist but not wet, regardless of how often you must water to make that the case. Watering City goosefoot that lives in a pot is a bit different. Generally, you'll need to increase your watering frequency, as the soil in a pot can heat up and dry out a bit faster than ground soil. As such, you should plan to water a container-grown City goosefoot a few times per week in most cases, versus just once per week for an in-ground plant.

How much water does my City goosefoot need?

There are a few different ways you can go about determining how much water to give to your City goosefoot. Some gardeners choose to pick their water volume based on feeling the soil for moisture. That method suggests that you should water until you feel that the first six inches of soil have become moist. Alternatively, you can use a set measurement to determine how much to water your City goosefoot. Typically, you should give your City goosefoot about two gallons of water per week, depending on how hot it is and how quickly the soil becomes dry. However, following strict guidelines like that can lead to overwatering if your plant requires less than two gallons per week for whatever reason. When growing City goosefoot in a container, you will need to use a different method to determine how much water to supply. Typically, you should give enough water to moisten all of the layers of soil that have become dry. To test if that is the case, you can simply stick your finger in the soil to feel for moisture. You can also water the soil until you notice a slight trickle of excess water exiting the drainage holes of your pot.

How can I tell if i'm watering my City goosefoot enough?

It can be somewhat difficult to avoid overwatering your City goosefoot. On the one hand, these plants have relatively deep roots that require you to moisten the soil weekly. On the other hand, City goosefoot are plants that are incredibly susceptible to root rot. Along with root rot, your City goosefoot may also experience browning as a result of overwatering. Underwatering is far less likely for your City goosefoot as these plants can survive for a while in the absence of supplemental watering. However, if you go too long without giving this plant water, it will likely begin to wilt. You may also notice dry leaves.

How should I water my City goosefoot through the seasons?

You can expect your City goosefoot’s water needs to increase as the season moves on. During spring, you should water about once per week. Then, as the summer heat arrives, you will likely need to give a bit more water to your City goosefoot, at times increasing to about three times per week. This is especially true of City goosefoot that grow in containers, as the soil in a container is far more likely to dry out faster than ground soil when the weather is warm. In autumn, while your City goosefoot is still in bloom, it may need a bit less water as the temperature has likely declined, and the sun is no longer as strong as it was in summer.

How should I water my City goosefoot at different growth stages?

City goosefoot will move through several different growth stages throughout the year, some of which may require more water than others. For example, you will probably start your City goosefoot as a seed. While the seed germinates, you should plant to give more water than your City goosefoot will need later in life, watering often enough to maintain consistent soil moisture. After a few weeks, your City goosefoot will grow above the soil and may need slightly less water than at the seedling phase. Then, once this plant is mature, you can begin to use the regular watering frequency of about once per week. As flower development takes place, you may need to give slightly more water to aid the process.

What's the difference between watering City goosefoot indoors and outdoors?

There are several reasons why most City goosefoot grow outdoors rather than indoors. The first is that these plants typically grow to tall. The second reason is that City goosefoot needs more daily sunlight than most indoor growing locations can provide. If you are able to provide a suitable indoor growing location, you may find that you need to give your City goosefoot water a bit more often than you would in an outdoor growing location. Part of the reason for this is that indoor growing locations tend to be a lot drier than outdoor ones due to HVAC units. The other reason for this is that soil in containers can dry out relatively quickly as well compared to soil in the ground.

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Water

Every week

City goosefoot originates from regions with seasonal climates, preferring evenly moist soil. Ensure to water only when necessary to prevent overwatering, and always check soil moisture beforehand.

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Add to My Garden

City goosefoot

Oxybasis urbica

Also known as: Triangular-leaved goosefoot