Native Wood-sorrel

Images ©:
©Oxalis exilis Bill Strong CC2.5, Oxalis exilis Russel Best CC2.5, Oxalis exilis Russel Best CC2.5

Oxalis exilis

Creeping herb to 35 cm long, sometimes creeping. Leaves clover-like with wedge-shaped leaflets to 5 mm long, held on short stalks with distinct upward-pointing hairs. Flowers have five yellow petals, on stalks at least as tall as the leaf stems. The seedcase is a conical capsule to 5 cm long and covered with the same distinctive hairs.

Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

Taproot absent or poorly developed. Upward-pointing (antrose) hairs on stems and seed capsules.

Biology

Perennial. Widespread in a range of habitats, usually winter-wet or damp places.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Oct-May

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Oxalidales
Family
Oxalidaceae
Genus
Oxalis
Species
exilis

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

From the Greek oxys = acid, sour, alis = saltiness, a reference to the pungent acid taste of the foliage.

Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Very variable species. Plants from wetter districts are robust with larger leaves than thos from drier inland areas.

Native Status
Native