Oxalis glabra

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Oxalis glabra
Oxalis glabra (1).jpg
Oxalis glabra flower
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis
Species:
O. glabra
Binomial name
Oxalis glabra
Thunb.

Oxalis glabra is a member of the wood-sorrel family, Oxalidaceae. It is only one of the 800 total species belonging to this family. The plant is commonly known as finger-leaf [1] due to its trifoliate leaf structure. This trifoliate structure can be seen in variations throughout all members of the genus Oxalis. However, the particularly narrow leaflets of the glabra plant look more like fingers rather than a common clover. The plant is native to South Africa and can be found carpeting the ground of woodlands and bushlands.

Contents

Structure

Floral diagram of 5-parted oxalis Oxalis floral diagram.jpg
Floral diagram of 5-parted oxalis

The entire plant height measures at 15 cm high and spreads out in a low to the ground dense leafy covering, much like a carpet. The flowers are complete and 5 parted, showing actinomorphic symmetry. From the receptacle 5 sharp lanceolate sepals emerge, unfused, surrounding the corolla. Each petal emerges in a spiral like fashion, initially wrapping around one another, but eventually opening up at full bloom. The petals are claw shaped, forming a narrow elongated yellow throat that opens up into a wide violet, white or pink lamina. the next whorl contains a ring of 10 stamen, followed by a whorl of 5 stigma, this is consistent with other species of the genus. Flowers are terminal and with a solitary inflorescence attached to an unbranched stem. If fertilized the flower yields a narrow fruit capsule from its superior ovary. [1] [2]

Distribution

Oxalis glabra originates from southern Africa in Cape Province and is now concentrated in the southwestern region of Australia. It can be found in the Darling Scarp from Bunbury to Augusta and inland to Narrogin and Toodyay, as well as in the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplain, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, and Warren. [3] Bulbs can be easily spread via water, contaminated soil or organism interactions, such as ants. Though spread throughout Western Australia, no seeds from the plant have been found in the region. It will be able to establish itself best in environments that are already disturbed. [4]

Propagation & growth

The growing period can be effected by location, however the plant generally begins to produce flowers in May and can last through to October with an active growth period between April and November. the plant remains dormant throughout the winter months, and can also slip into dormancy during the summer if conditions are too hot. [2] The oxalis has a perennial herb with an annually occurring top. It is one of the fewer species in the genus to propagate with the use of bulbs, bulbils and stolons. [5] The bulbs begin sprouting in the falling temperatures of autumn months and spread underground with a system of lateral stems, facilitating the persistent nature of this species. The bulbs themselves are tiny, measuring only 5-9mm in length. They are ovoid in shape, often with pointed tips and surrounded by a brown papery cover.

Soil requirements

Oxalis glabra favors heavy soils and clay. However, it will grow easily in sandy and laterite soils.

Invasive characteristics

Oxalic acid structure Oxalsaure2.svg
Oxalic acid structure

The ornamental flower of the Oxalis glabra has made it a desirable addition to gardens, however it is often classified as a weed. Due to its underground growth process the Oxalis is difficult to eradicate. A single bulb can propagate into many independent plants and yield many more bulbils. The small size of the bulbs make them hard to detect and easy to spread. The plant grows in a dense carpet and can choke out indigenous species; if introduced to a disturbed community Oxalis glabra will prevent native plants from repopulating the community. [6] Destroying the shoots of the plant are ineffective as well as hand digging because bulbs easily break free and remain in soil. Glyphosate, diuron and sulfonyl urea herbicides are most effective in eradication; herbicides should be applied at first sight of flowering because at this stage the bulbs will be exhausted. [7]

Members of the genus Oxalis produce the toxin oxalic acid. In low amounts, this toxin is harmless and is even found in common produce, such as broccoli, spinach and Brussels sprouts. In higher amounts the toxin can have damaging effects that lead to hypocalcemia; this is a concern among farmers who tend grazing livestock. [1] [5]

Edibility

The leaves of the plant are edible, and will yield a sour taste due to production of oxalic acid.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulb</span> Short plant stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases for food storage and water

In botany, a bulb is structurally a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases that function as food storage organs during dormancy.

<i>Oxalis</i> Genus of flowering plants

Oxalis is a large genus of flowering plants in the wood-sorrel family Oxalidaceae, comprising over 550 species. The genus occurs throughout most of the world, except for the polar areas; species diversity is particularly rich in tropical Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa.

<i>Oxalis acetosella</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Oxalidaceae

Oxalis acetosella, the wood sorrel or common wood sorrel, is a rhizomatous flowering plant in the family Oxalidaceae, common in most of Europe and parts of Asia. The specific epithet acetosella refers to its sour taste. The common name wood sorrel is often used for other plants in the genus Oxalis. In much of its range it is the only member of its genus and hence simply known as "the" wood sorrel. While common wood sorrel may be used to differentiate it from most other species of Oxalis, in North America, Oxalis montana is also called common wood sorrel. It is also known as Alleluia because it blossoms between Easter and Pentecost, when the Psalms which end with Hallelujah are sung.

<i>Elodea</i> Genus of aquatic plants

Elodea is a genus of 6 species of aquatic plants often called the waterweeds described as a genus in 1803. Classified in the frog’s-bit family (Hydrocharitaceae), Elodea is native to the Americas and is also widely used as aquarium vegetation and laboratory demonstrations of cellular activities. It lives in fresh water. An older name for this genus is Anacharis, which serves as a common name in North America.

<i>Hydrilla</i> Species of plant

Hydrilla (waterthyme) is a genus of aquatic plant, usually treated as containing just one species, Hydrilla verticillata, though some botanists divide it into several species. It is native to the cool and warm waters of the Old World in Asia, Africa and Australia, with a sparse, scattered distribution; in Australia from Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.

<i>Lilium bulbiferum</i> Species of lily

Lilium bulbiferum, common names orange lily, fire lily,Jimmy's Bane,tiger lily and St. John's Lily, is a herbaceous European lily with underground bulbs, belonging to the Liliaceae.

<i>Allium vineale</i> Species of flowering plant

Allium vineale is a perennial, bulb-forming species of wild onion, native to Europe, northwestern Africa and the Middle East. The species was introduced in Australia and North America, where it has become a noxious weed.

<i>Oxalis pes-caprae</i> Species of flowering plant in the wood sorrel family

Oxalis pes-caprae is a species of tristylous yellow-flowering plant in the wood sorrel family Oxalidaceae. Oxalis cernua is a less common synonym for this species. Some of the most common names for the plant reference its sour taste owing to oxalic acid present in its tissues. Indigenous to South Africa, the plant has become a pest plant in different parts of the world that is difficult to eradicate because of how it propagates through underground bulbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulbil</span> Small young plant that grows from the parent plants stem

A bulbil is a small, young plant that is reproduced vegetatively from axillary buds on the parent plant's stem or in place of a flower on an inflorescence. These young plants are clones of the parent plant that produced them—they have identical genetic material. The formation of bulbils is a form of asexual reproduction, as they can eventually go on to form new stand-alone plants.

<i>Oxalis violacea</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Oxalis stricta</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxalis stricta, called the common yellow woodsorrel, common yellow oxalis, upright yellow-sorrel, lemon clover, or more ambiguously and informally "sourgrass", "sheep weed", or "pickle plant", is a herbaceous plant native to North America, parts of Eurasia, and a rare introduction in Britain. It tends to grow in woodlands, meadows, and in disturbed areas as both a perennial and annual. Erect when young, this plant later becomes decumbent as it lies down, and branches regularly. It is not to be confused with similar plants in the same genus which are also often referred to as "yellow woodsorrel".

Gastrolobium propinquum is a shrub in the family Fabaceae, endemic to the Southwest Australia savanna region, which is toxic to many animals. It has been given the common name Hutt River poison.

<i>Oxalis triangularis</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxalis triangularis, commonly called false shamrock, is a species of perennial plant in the family Oxalidaceae. It is native to several countries in southern South America. This woodsorrel is typically grown as a houseplant but can be grown outside in USDA climate zones 8a–11, preferably in light shade.

<i>Oxalis tetraphylla</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxalis tetraphylla is a bulbous herbaceous perennial plant from Mexico. It is sometimes sold as lucky clover or shamrock. In the wild or feral state it is often called four-leaved wood-sorrel after its family, Oxalidaceae. Other English common names for this plant include Lucky Clover, Four-Leaf Sorrel, Four-Leaf Pink-Sorrel and others. It is sometimes called "the iron cross plant" or "oxalis iron cross" because the leaves loosely resemble the iron cross symbol, though this name is not a classic folk term and has fallen out of favour due to the bad political connotations associated with this symbol.

<i>Oxalis latifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxalis latifolia is a species of flowering plant in the woodsorrel family known by the common names garden pink-sorrel and broadleaf woodsorrel. It is native to Mexico and parts of Central and South America.

<i>Oxalis articulata</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxalis articulata, known as pink-sorrel, pink wood sorrel, windowbox wood-sorrel, Chari amilo (Nepal),sourgrass,Netho (khatta) saag (India) is a perennial plant species in the genus Oxalis native to temperate South America. It has been introduced in Europe in gardens and is now naturalized in these areas.

<i>Oxalis debilis</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxalis debilis, the large-flowered pink-sorrel or pink woodsorrel, is a perennial plant and herb in the family Oxalidaceae. Its original distribution is South America but has become a very cosmopolitan species, occurring in all continents except Antarctica. It can be found in both temperate and tropical areas.

<i>Lomandra effusa</i> Species of plant

Lomandra effusa is a perennial, dioecious, rhizomatous herb native to Australia. It is a perennial tussock with bluish green, large, arching leaves which are distinctive by the two toothed leaf tip. It has white, cream or pink fragrant flowers during the months of June to October.

<i>Carpobrotus modestus</i> Species of succulent

Carpobrotus modestus, commonly known as inland pigface, is a succulent perennial of the family Aizoaceae, native to the coasts of Australia. It produces purple flowers which mature into fruits and is mainly used as a groundcover succulent or as a drought tolerant plant.

<i>Oxalis alpina</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxalis alpina is a herbaceous perennial plant also known by its common name alpine woodsorrel. It is a species belonging to the genus Oxalis.O. alpina is found in North America and Central America from Guatemala to the southwestern United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Finger-leaf Oxalis". Herbiguide.com.au. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  2. 1 2 "Oxalis glabra". Oxalis.50megs.com. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  3. "Finger-leaf Oxalis". Herbiguide.com.au.
  4. Western Australian Herbarium, Biodiversity and Conservation Science. "FloraBase—the Western Australian Flora". Florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au.
  5. 1 2 "Oxalis" (PDF). Maltawildplants.com. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  6. "Environmental Weeds Action Network". Environmental Weeds Action Network. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  7. "Oxalis glabra Thunb.: FloraBase: Flora of Western Australia". Florabase.calm.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 2011-05-14.

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