Oxalis incarnata

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 433. 1753.

Common names: Crimson wood-sorrel
Introduced
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 12. Treatment on page 146. Mentioned on page 136, 147.

Herbs perennial, caulescent, rhizomes present, 3–8 cm, slender, sometimes producing small tubers, stolons absent, bulblets often present on rhizomes and in leaf axils. Aerial stems mostly 1–4 from base, mostly erect, 5–25 cm, herbaceous, glabrous. Leaves cauline, usually in pseudowhorls of 4–8, sometimes opposite proximally; stipules rudimentary; petiole 2–5(–7) cm; leaflets 3, green, sometimes purplish abaxially, obcordate, 6–10(–15) mm, lobed 1/4 length, lobes apically convex, surfaces glabrous, oxalate deposits absent. Inflorescences 1-flowered; peduncles 5–7 cm. Flowers: stamen/style arrangement not seen; sepal apices with 2 orange tubercles; petals white to pale pinkish purple with darker veins, 10–20 mm. Capsules not seen.


Phenology: Flowering Jan–May.
Habitat: Shady, disturbed, generally urban sites, greenhouses, roadsides, yards.
Elevation: 0–200 m.

Distribution

V12 570-distribution-map.jpg

Introduced; Calif., Africa (South Africa), introduced also in Europe, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia.

Discussion

Oxalis incarnata is recognized by its rhizomatous habit, small leaves in pseudowhorls, and large, solitary, flowers with white to pink or purple petals. Plants apparently are seed-sterile in California.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Oxalis incarnata"
Guy L. Nesom +
Linnaeus +
Crimson wood-sorrel +
Calif. +, Africa (South Africa) +, introduced also in Europe +, Pacific Islands (New Zealand) +  and Australia. +
0–200 m. +
Shady, disturbed, generally urban sites, greenhouses, roadsides, yards. +
Flowering Jan–May. +
thoday1926a +
Introduced +
Bolboxalis +, Hesperoxalis +, Ionoxalis +, Lotoxalis +, Otoxalis +, Pseudoxalis +, Sassia +  and Xanthoxalis +
Oxalis incarnata +
species +