Oxalis incarnata
Sp. Pl. 1: 433. 1753.
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
Introduced; Calif., Africa (South Africa), 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.
Selected References
Lower Taxa
"alternating" is not a number."/4" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property.