Oxalis rubens
Biostatus
Native
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2023 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: SO, SO
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Flower colours
Yellow
Detailed description
Perennial herb without bulbils; taproot stout, woody. Stems usually glabrous sometimes covered in sparse antrorse hairs; erect to ascending up to 380 mm long. Leaves all cauline, sometimes subopposite or whorled, 3-foliolate; leaflets sessile, cuneate-obcordate, 2-9 x 2-11 mm, angular, bilobed, purplish-green to subglaucous, more or less glabrous above, sparsely pubescent below, margins ciliate, sinus cut to about half leaflet length, lobes oblong to obovate, straight divergent, apices broad-obtuse, 1.5-7.0 mm apart; petioles c.7-30 mm long, hairs mostly antrorse; stipules usually conspicuous, to 3 mm long, membranous and truncate or apex tapering abruptly to pedicel, ciliate. Inflorescences axillary 1-2-flowered; peduncles longer than leaves, antrorse hairy; pedicels erect. Sepals oblong, 3-4 mm long, often ciliate; petals yellow 7-11 mm long. Capsule cylindric, 13-24 mm long, thickened in middle, usually densely retrorse-hairy. Seeds transversely ribbed.
Similar taxa
Most likely to be confused with O. perennans. which can grow in similar habitats, and from which O. rubens differs by its more erect habit, inconspicuous, keeled stipules, and stout, woody taproot. It has a superficial similarity to O. thompsoniae which differs by its consistently hairy stems, leaves and capsules, shorter fruits and smooth or only weakly ridged seeds.
Distribution
Indigenous. Australia and New Zealand. In New Zealand widespread in the North, South and Chatham Islands.
Habitat
Mostly coastal (sometimes inland on limestone bluffs) where it is especially common on sand dunes and associated sand soils. Plants usually grow up through other supporting vegetation and are often missed except when in flower.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
In New Zealand this species has been confused with O. stricta and O. perennans. Oxalis stricta is not in New Zealand and O. perennans is an uncommon weed.
Taxonomic notes
A distinctive, potentially undescribed species allied to Oxalis rubens occurs sparingly along the eastern South Island within the montane to alpine zone, where it colonises mainly active and semi-mobile scree.
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Flowering
September - March
Fruiting
October - July
Propagation technique
Easily grown from fresh seed and stem cuttings. Not inclined to be as weedy as O. exilis. The purplish-green to subglaucous leaves and large, showy yellow flowers make it particularly attractive. Does best in full sun in a sandy soil. Ideal plant for sand country.
Other information
Etymology
oxalis: From the Greek word oxus meaning acid or sharp
rubens: Red
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
OXARUB
Previous conservation statuses
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2022-2023 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Previous assessments can be found here.
- Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023. 2024. Peter J. de Lange, Jane Gosden, Shannel P. Courtney, Alexander J. Fergus, John W. Barkla, Sarah M. Beadel, Paul D. Champion, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Troy Makan and Pascale Michel Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: SO, SO
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Regional conservation statuses
Auckland: 2025 | Regionally Not Threatened | Qualifiers: DPS, DPT
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Auckland conservation status information is sourced from the “Conservation status of vascular plant species in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland” Simpkins E et al. (2025) report.
Otago: 2025 | Regionally Data Deficient | Qualifiers: NR
The regional threat classification system leverages off the national assessments in the NZTCS, providing information relevant for the regional context. Otago conservation status information is sourced from the “Conservation Status of Indigenous Vascular Plants in Otago, 2025” Jarvie S et al. (2025) report.
Referencing and citations
References and further reading
Webb, C.J.; Sykes, W.R.; Garnock-Jones, P.J. 1988: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. IV. Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons.Christchurch, New Zealand, Botany Division, D.S.I.R.
Attribution
Fact sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange 1 November 2005. Description adapted from Webb et al. (1988).
Some of this factsheet information is derived from Flora of New Zealand Online and is used under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence.
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Oxalis rubens Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/oxalis-rubens/ (Date website was queried)