Why might removing a patch of O. umbellatum result in several patches next season?
Answer
Small fragments of the bulb left behind can regenerate.
The persistence and aggressive regrowth capabilities of *O. umbellatum* are directly tied to its bulbous reproduction strategy, demanding extreme care during removal efforts. Because the plant produces many small offsets connected to the main underground system, a failure to completely excavate every single piece of the bulb structure can lead to multiplication rather than eradication. Even minute fragments of the bulb that remain in the soil possess the viability to regenerate into new, complete plants the following season. This characteristic necessitates a careful, patient approach to digging to ensure absolute physical removal from the area.
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