Scientific Family
Oxalidaceae
Synonyms
Oxalis metcalfei, Oxalis monticola
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Oxalis violacea
Height
3 to 5 inches
Riparian
Yes
A delicate plant with clover-like foliage. There are 1 to 7 pink or violet (bluish-purple) flowers on each stalk that rise above the
leaves in a loose umbel.
Similar to Oxalis violacea, but has flowers with styles of three different lengths. Also has two distinct orange tubercles at the
tip of the sepals while those of Oxalis violacea blend together.
Habitat
Open, moist, often rocky places in deciduous, pine-oak or coniferous forests.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
9600
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are 3/4 - 1 inch wide with 5 flaring petals which are joined at a yellowish green base. One to seven flowers rise above the
leaves in a loose umbel.
Flower color
Pink or bluish-purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Other
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Non-branching stems regrow each spring from below-ground bulbs. Leaves consist of three heart-shaped leaflets. Leaflets are 1/4 - 3/4 inches long.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Palmate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Several seeded capsule, often over 1/4 inch long.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green
Seeds are very small, less than 1/32 inch.