Katabami(the bermuda buttercups) are blooming all at once along the road.  Normally, it starts to bloom in time with the cherry blossoms, but it seems that it bloomed because of the cheerfulness of like May.  The origin of Katabami is South Africa, and because of its beautiful flowers, it has been imported to various parts of the world.  It was introduced to Japan in the early Meiji era, and initially it was seen only in Kagoshima, but now it has spread to a wide area south of the Kanto region.  It is now commonly found in ornamental breeds and in parks and roadside plantings, but it is harmful to livestock and reduces milk fat when dairy cows accidentally eat in the pasture.  Also, at golf courses and soccer fields, it is difficult to remove because it is a great enemy to the lawn.

道沿いの植え込みにオオキバナカタバミが一斉に花を開いています。例年なら桜の開花に合わせる様に咲き始めますが、五月の陽気に誘われて咲いた様です。オオキバナカタバミの原産は南アフリカで、花が綺麗なので世界各地に移入されました。日本には明治の初め頃移入され、当初は鹿児島だけでしたが今では関東以南の広い地域に広がりました。観賞用に育てたり、公園や道沿いの植え込みでもよく見受けられるようになりましたが、家畜には有害で、牧草地で乳牛が誤食すると乳脂肪量が落ちます。また、ゴルフ場やサッカー場では芝生に大敵なので駆除が大変です。