Oxalis corniculata, L.

1. O. corniculata L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 435 (1753) View Cited Treatment

{ O. repens Thunb. ).

Creeping, pubescent perennial, but flowering soon after germination. Stems up to 50 cm, procumbent, rooting at the nodes. Leaves alternate; petioles 2-8 cm, with small auriculate stipules; leaflets 5-18 x 8-23 mm, obcordate, deeply emarginate. Inflorescence umbellate, of 1 -7 flowers; fruiting pedicels deflexed. Sepals lanceolate; petals 4-7 mm, yellow. Capsule 10-25 mm,

cylindrical, hoary. Seeds transversely ridged, brown. 2n = 24. Dry open habitats, especially cultivated ground. S. Europe, extending locally northwards to N. France, Hungary and C. Ukraine; often naturalized or casual further north. Al Az BI Bu Co Cr Ga Gr He Hs Hu It Ju Lu Rs (W, K) Sa Si Tu [Au Be Br Cz Fe Ge Hb Ho No Po Rm Su].

Var. repens (Thunb.) Zucc. , with leaflets 5-9 x 6-12 mm, inflorescence 1 - to 2-flowered, and capsule 10-15 mm, from S. Africa, is frequently found as a garden escape, as are also purple-suffused cultivars.