Oxalis intermedia

Herbs perennial, acaulous, rhizomes absent, stolons often present, numerous, slender, with bulblets at tips, bulbs usually clustered, sometimes solitary; bulb scales (3–)5–7-nerved. Leaves basal, rarely absent at flowering; petiole 10–22 cm; leaflets 3, green, obtriangular to broadly obtriangular, 20–50 mm, lobed 1/5–1/3 length, lobes apically truncate, surfaces glabrous, oxalate deposits absent. Inflorescences umbelliform cymes, 3–12(–18)-flowered; scapes 7–30 cm, glabrous or sparsely hairy. Flowers semihomostylous; sepal apices with 2 orange tubercles; petals usually lavender to purple, less commonly pink or white, 8–12 mm. Capsules ellipsoid, 3–8 mm, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Sep.
Habitat: Gardens, fields, orchards, roadsides, moist waste areas, fencerows.
Elevation: 0–100 m.

Fla., La., Tex., West Indies, introduced also in Mexico (Chiapas, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz).

Discussion

Oxalis intermedia is recognized by a combination of its large, obtriangular leaflets; numerous, small flowers; and usually clustered bulbs. It was collected in California in 1934 and Massachusetts in 1940 but does not appear to have become naturalized in either state. Plants in the flora area are usually without fertile fruit.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa