There are more than 200 species of Oxalis in South Africa and 270 varieties and probably many new species as well. The only handbook on the Southern African species, by Salter, is almost sixty years old and out of print so there are many challenges in identifying them. Cape Plants, a conspectus of the Cape flora of South Africa by Peter Goldblatt and John Manning lists 118 in the Cape Floral Kingdom but there is only a brief botanical description, location sometimes with habitat information, and time of bloom in this book. South African species P-Z are found on this wiki page.
Miscellaneous Oxalis – South African Oxalis A- F – South African Oxalis G-L – South African Oxalis M-O – South American Oxalis – Oxalis index
Oxalis palmifrons, is a winter growing species from the Western Karoo of South Africa with interesting leaves. Photograph by Mary Sue Ittner taken September 2006 near Middelpos in the Roggeveld of the leaves. Also shown Romulea subfistulosa.
This one is difficult to get to bloom in cultivation. It may need a deep pot. The first photo was taken by Sheila Burrow and the others by Bill Dijk, including one with a good display of flowers.
Oxalis pardalis is found in the winter rainfall areas, usually in heavier soils, and has trifoliolate leaves and flowers in many different colors. It blooms in the fall. Photo by Bill Dijk.
Oxalis pes-caprae known as the Bermuda Buttercup has become a major weed in many Mediterranean areas of the world.
It is a tall robust species that develops numerous bulbils and has bright yellow flowers in an umbel. The leaves are trifoliate, often with purple edges or dots. Photos taken by Mary Sue Ittner in Mendocino County, California where it has escaped.
This is a double form (syn. Oxalis cernua). Photo by Bill Dijk.
Oxalis polyphylla heptaphylla, is a winter growing fall blooming South African species, photo by Lyn Edwards
This plant, originally collected by Michael Vassar as MV6396 at Vanrhynsdorp, (South Africa, Northern Cape) was described: succulent thread-like leaves with up to 8 leaflets to a stem; corms often gummy; large satiny-lavender flowers. It blooms in the fall. Photos below by Bob Rutemoeller. The second shows a view from the side with the light through the petals.
Oxalis purpurea is a long blooming winter growing Oxalis that can naturalize in some areas which may make it seem like a delightful plant to some and a weed to others.
Oxalis purpurea 'Alba' This is a white form. The first photo was taken by Bill Dijk. The second one was taken by Mary Sue Ittner who wrote: “The flowers on this white flowered form were closing in the late afternoon. This one will bloom for many months if planted where it gets a lot of sun. “
Oxalis purpurea 'Garnet' has purple leaves and bright pink flower and is easily grown in a pot. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Kristina Van Wert, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens bulb collection.
%%This is another purple leaved variety. In New Zealand it is known as 'Nigrescens.' Photo by Bill Dijk.
Oxalis purpurea yellow. Photo by Bill Dijk
Oxalis sp. I was given the bulbs of these some year ago under the names Oxalis oreoides. They were from South Africa. However, I cannot trace that name in Salter or Index Kewensis. If anybody has another name for them please let me know. The reverses of the leaves are dark red. Photos by David Victor.
An oxalis without a name, photo from Lyn Edwards
This Oxalis species is being grown under the name Oxalis karooica This does not appear to be a valid name however. It has orange flowers, red stems, and finely dissected leaves and is a really beautiful plant. Photo by Andrew Wilson. It could be a color form of Oxalis gracilis.
Oxalis sp MV4674 collected by Michael Vassar as 16km north into Sweekspoort, South Africa, was described by him as a tiny tufted plant with tiny leaves. It has pink flowers and blooms in the fall. It is unclear what species it is. Possibilities of caprina and imbricata don't seem to be correct. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner.
Oxalis ssp.
These three species were seen blooming in September 2003 in South Africa near Caledon. I wasn't able to identify them. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller.
Oxalis tenuifolia.From the SW Western Cape, bulb rounded to ovoid, 5 to 8 in. Flowers white with purple margin; tube sulphur yellow. Winter flowering. The first photo was taken by Bill Dijk and the next two showing the underside of the flowers and the bulbs by Andrew Broome (2005).
Oxalis tomentosa has hairy leaves with ten to twenty hairy leaflets in a tuft and white flowers with a greenish-yellow tube. It is found on grassy flats and stony slopes from Clanwilliam to the Cape Peninsula and flowers from April to June. Photos by Bill Dijk.
Oxalis versicolor has a common name of candycane sorrel referring to the red and white stripes when the flower is closed. It is a long blooming South African species found on flats and slopes in the northwest and southwest Cape. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner showing the unopened flowers and ones opening in the warmth of the cold frame and one from Bill Dijk showing the red backs of the flowers.
And this photo taken by Mary Sue Ittner near Tulbagh August 2006 where it was growing in the rocks
Oxalis zeekoevleyensis is another South African species with trifoliolate leaves and rosy lilac flowers with a yellow tube. There are many of us who grow a form in the Northern hemisphere under this name that is a fall bloomer. The South African species reportedly blooms from June to August raising the question of whether what we are growing is really this species. Photo by Bob Rutemoeller.
Miscellaneous Oxalis – South African Oxalis A- F – South African Oxalis G-L – South African Oxalis M-O – South American Oxalis – Oxalis index
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