Oxalis debilis Kunth

Pink Wood Sorrel; South American Wood Sorrel; Large Flower Pink Sorrel

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Pink Wood Sorrel is an introduced perennial herb in the Wood-Sorrel family (Oxalidaceae). It can be found in the southern half of Alabama. Pink Wood Sorrel occurs in lawns, on vacant lots, in urban woodlands, and on roadsides. It is an acaulous perennial forming large clumps from clusters of bulblets. The bulb scales are 3-nerved. Rhizomes are absent. Leaves are long petiolate, with three heart-shaped leaflets. The leaves are pubescent on the upper surface and glabrous on the lower surface. Distinct dots of oxalate deposits are visible, especially towards the margins of the leaflets. Flowers are produced in cymes. Each cyme has 8-14 lavender or rose flowers. The flowers have 5 green sepals, 5 petals, and 10 stamens. Five on the stamens are long and 5 are short. The sepals have two large orange bumps near their apex. The fruit is a capsule. Pink Wood Sorrel is an old-fashioned plant often found around older homes. It can be used in a low border. Plants in our area rarely produce seed, but they can be propagated by separating the numerous bublets.—A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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