Grows from a scaly coated bulb Site: Open woods, banks, rocky ground, prairies Poison Part : All parts. Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion, but no documented cases in humans. Severity: CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. Found in: Houseplant in interiorscapes; herbaceous perennial in landscapes and flower gardens; weedy in disturbed areas and lawns. More information on Oxalis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
leaves long-stalked with 3 leaflets. Palmately divided leaves with three leaflets; inversely heart-shaped; reddish or purplish underside
Flower color
Green; Orange; Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower detail
flowers 5-parted, white, yellow, lavender, or rose. Rose-purple flowers on stalk rising above the leaves; five flaring petals; green sepals with orange tips
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers; Roots; Seeds; Tubers
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Small amounts of leaves, flowers, seeds, tubers/roots eaten raw are not dangerous. Leaves, flowers, seeds, tubers/
Landscape Use
Landscape theme
Native Garden
Garden tags
#problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #NC Native Pollinator Plant #shade tolerant #NC native #shade flowers #woodland
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
All parts of the plant have toxic potential, although the possibility of serious effects is usually limited to ingestions of large quantities. Consuming Oxalis species can produce colic in horses, and kidney failure is possible if significant amounts are eaten. Caution: large quantities may cause trembling, cramps, and staggering as in grazing animals.