Oxalidaceae: Oxalis violacea
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Family Name
Oxalidaceae
Common Name
Violet wood-sorrel, purple wood sorrel
Description
Oxalis violacea is a perennial herbaceous plant growing 15 to 40 cm tall from fibrous root system with small corms. The trifoliate leaves consist of three heart-shaped leaflets, each 1.5 to 3 cm long and 1.5 to 2.5 cm wide, with smooth margins and they often have a purplish tint on the underside. The leaves are petiolate with slender stalks 5 to 12 cm long. The flowers are borne singly on slender stalks above the foliage, blooming from April through June. Each flower has five green, lanceolate sepals about 6 to 8 mm long and 1.5 to 2.5 mm wide. The corolla consists of five petals, violet to lavender in color, each 10 to 15 mm long and 6 to 8 mm wide, obovate to broadly spatulate with a rounded apex. The flower contains ten stamens in two whorls with filaments of varying lengths and purple anthers arranged around a superior ovary. The pistil has a single style approximately 6 to 8 mm long, terminating in a capitate stigma about 1.5 to 2 mm wide. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule 12 to 18 mm long and 2 to 3 mm wide, developing after flowering from May through July; it dehisces explosively to release numerous small seeds. Violet wood-sorrel is native to South Dakota, commonly found in moist prairies, open woodlands, and along stream banks throughout the eastern and central parts of the state.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Collect mature capsules before dehiscence in late spring to early summer.
Germination: Seeds germinate readily in moist, well-drained soil.
Vegetative Propagation: Sometimes propagated through corm division.
Soils: Prefers moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter.
Light: Partial shade to full sun.
Water: Prefers moderate moisture; does not tolerate prolonged drought well.
Additional Notes
Violet wood-sorrel has edible leaves and flowers with a tangy, lemon-like flavor due to oxalic acid and has been used traditionally as a salad green or flavoring. It also provides nectar for native bees and other pollinators.