Oxalis bowiei
Common names
Cape shamrock, Bowie’s wood sorrel
Biostatus
Exotic
Conservation status
Not applicable
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Simplified description
Perennial with leaves emerging from bulbs in late summer, along with heads of flowers. Leaves firm, almost fleshy or coriaceous, densely pubescent.
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Similar taxa
Other pink-flowered Oxalis species. O. bowiei has large and firmer leaves than most other common ones in New Zealand. Its flowers distinguish it from clovers.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Reason for introduction
Ornamental - a popular potted plant for some gardeners
Control techniques
Confine to pots and take care with disposal of old potting mix if repotting, to prevent spread of the bulbs.
Life cycle and dispersal
Long-lived perennial herb. Spread by bulbils in soil movement (and perhaps seed)
Other information
Etymology
oxalis: From the Greek word oxus meaning acid or sharp
Referencing and citations
Attribution
Specimens collected of the photographed plant for CHR