Violet Wood Sorrel

(Oxalis violacea)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Violet Wood Sorrel (Oxalis violacea L.)

Identification: Flowers rose-purple, with 5 petals in a weak trumpet shaped. Center of flower white with a green center. Seedpod short and stubby. Leaves cloverlike with 3 leaflets. Each leaflet notched at the tip and with a central fold line. Leaf lobe commonly (but not always) with bands of purple. Underside of leaves purple. Plant 4 to 8 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America except for California and the Pacific Northwest.

Habitat: Violet Wood Sorrel is a woodland species, preferring open woods and woodland banks.

Flowering period: April to July.

Similar Species: The Oxalis leaf style and the rose-purple flowers easily identify this species.

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