Grassland Wood-sorrel
Oxalis perennans
Upright tufted herb to 30 cm long, sometimes creeping. Leaves clover-like with wedge-shaped leaflets to 15 mm long, held on stalks up to 40 mm long. Flowers and fruits are above the leaves. Flowers have five yellow petals, on stalks at least as tall as the leaf stems. The seed case is a long capsule to 30 cm long and 5 cm wide.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Herbs |
| Other Common Names | Native Oxalis |
| Distinctive Features | If there are hairs on the stem they point upwards (antrose). Grows from a stout edible taproot. Can develop roots at leaf nodes. |
| Biology | Perennial. Range of habitats often in disturbed sites. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Flowers all year. |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Oxalidales |
| Family | Oxalidaceae |
| Genus | Oxalis |
| Species | perennans |
From the Greek oxys = acid, sour, alis = saltiness, a reference to the pungent acid taste of the foliage. The tubers were eaten by Aborigines.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Two forms _ dry lowland type with tufted shape and single stout taproot, and higher rainfall areas which are creeping in form and shorter broader fruits. Looks similar to the introduced O. corniculata which has hairy stems and never has a stout taproot. |
| Native Status | Native |