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 R-S are found on this wiki page.
South African Oxalis A-B - South African Oxalis D-E - South African Oxalis F-G - South African Oxalis H-K - South African Oxalis L-M - South African Oxalis N-O - South African Oxalis P - South African Oxalis R-S - South African Oxalis T-Z - South American Oxalis - Miscellaneous Oxalis - Oxalis index
Oxalis salteri is a robust single leaved species. The leaves are green above, and dark red below. Flowers are yellow or white, and resemble those of its section, Crassulae (eg. O. flava and O. fabaefolia). The bulbs are deep seated (30-40cm.) and grow in sticky clay patches in the Vanrhynsdorp surrounds. It is apparently a very challenging species to grow. The first photo show a plant in habitat with the leaves of a white flowered form of O. purpurea in the background. These photos were taken by Christiaan van Schalkwyk.
Oxalis sonderiana is a small ground-hugging plant, with vivid glaucous green leaves. Flowers are yellow, and large in comparison with the leaves. It is a beautiful species. This photo was taken near Springbok in Namaqualand by Christiaan van Schalkwyk.
Oxalis sonderiana var. alba is similar to the type species, but with white flowers. It occurs in southern Namaqualand. Photos by Christiaan van Schalkwyk.
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.
Oxalis sp is a Michael Vassar collection. It was labeled MV4621A, but Vassar's collection notes say the flower is pink, and this one has white flowers with a yellow and green throat. The pot may have been mislabeled. Photo by Michael Mace.
Oxalis sp MV4674 collected by Michael Vassar as 16 km north into Seweweekspoort, 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 sp. MV5630A was collected by Michael Vassar. It has pale violet flowers, and blooms in early fall. It closely resembles Michael's Oxalis commutata MV5117, and blooms at the same time. His collection notes: "Vanrhynshoek, top of mountain in a level area among big rocks in a dark red, heavy soil. Small, non-winged, light brown bulbs, 3/4 inch light lavender-pink flowers, No bracts. Light sweet scent. Tiny, tufted plants. Plant early." Photos by Michael Mace.
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 stellata is one of the few umbeliform Oxalis found in South Africa. Flowers could be pink or white.
Photos by Christiaan van Schalkwyk.
Oxalis stenorrhyncha has small brick-red flowers, and should be regarded as summer growing. It flowers from middle summer into the winter. First two photos by Christiaan van Schalkwyk. The third photo is by Michael Mace, who grows it as a winter-growing bulb, blooming from fall through winter. The photo shows the unusual form of the plant, with a stalk that raises the leaves up off the ground like a miniature palm tree. Over time the plant sprawls as it gets larger. The form grown by Michael has dull orange flowers.
South African Oxalis A-B - South African Oxalis D-E - South African Oxalis F-G - South African Oxalis H-K - South African Oxalis L-M - South African Oxalis N-O - South African Oxalis P - South African Oxalis R-S - South African Oxalis T-Z - South American Oxalis - Miscellaneous Oxalis - Oxalis index