Oxalis perennans

Family Oxalidaceae

Herb, sometimes creeping to 25 cm long, stout taproot, 3 mm diameter, 2 cm deep and creeping lateral stems developing occasional taproots at the intervals. No vegetative spread. Longevity 2 - 5 years.

Flowers: Yellow, February – December.

Fruit: Capsule with ribbed seeds usually held above the leaves, mature at any time of year. Seeds dispersed explosively up to 1 m when mature capsule touched.

Seed: Small, flattened, reddish, slightly sticky when first released, assisting dispersal.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

• Woodland and disturbed sites.
• Common in woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden.
• Seedlings noted as abundant in burnt and unburnt areas after rain.
• Mature plants resprout after fire.