Scientific Family
Oxalidaceae
Synonyms
Bolboxalis cernua, Oxalis cernua, O. lybica
Other common names
African wood-sorrel
African woodsorrel
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
<1 inch
Riparian
No
Stemless, rhizomes present, vertical, white, root-like, bulb usually solitary, sometimes with bulblets at base; leaves basal, leaflets 3, heart-shaped; flowers tristylous (3 style morphs that differ in stigma and anther heights within a flower).
Rhizomes, vertical, white, root-like; plant forms bulbs; not stemmed; leaves basal, leaflets 3, green, rarely purplish-red spotted, heart-shaped attached at narrow end.
flowers in clusters of 3 to 20, petals deep golden yellow, narrow at base (clawed).
Habitat
Disturbed urban or agricultural lands.
Plant Community
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
1100
High elevation
2000
Flower Characteristics
Umbrella-like clusters, 3 to 20 flowers per cluster; flower stems, 6 to 12 inches, sparsely hairy, often becoming hollow near the base; flowers perfect, petals clawed, fused at base; stamens 10; pistils 5; styles 5; corollas yellow, 1/2 to 1 inch long.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
April
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Loose basal rosette at enlarged stem tip, 1 to 16 inches tall; leaf stem 1 to 5 inches long; leaflets 3, heart-shaped, notched at tip, 4 to 16 inches long, up to 1-3/4 inches wide, rarely mottled with purplish-red spots; sepal tips have 2 orange bumps.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits fleshy, explosive capsules.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds arillate (covered by fleshy outer layer).