Grassland Wood-sorrel

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Grassland Wood-sorrel - Russell Best via NatureShare | Grassland Wood-sorrel - Russell Best via NatureShare

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