Oxalis bowiei
Common name
Cape shamrock, Bowie’s wood sorrel
Family
Oxalidaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Perennial with leaves emerging from bulbs in late summer, along with heads of flowers. Leaves firm, almost fleshy or coriaceous, densely pubescent.
Similar taxa
Other pink-flowered Oxalis species. O. bowiei has large and firmer leaves than most other common ones in New Zealand. Its flowers distinguish it from clovers.
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Reason for introduction
Ornamental - a popular potted plant for some gardeners
Control techniques
Confine to pots and take care with disposal of old potting mix if repotting, to prevent spread of the bulbs.
Etymology
oxalis: From the Greek word oxus meaning acid or sharp
Reason For Introduction
Ornamental garden plant
Life Cycle Comments
Long-lived perennial herb
Reproduction
By bulbils (and perhaps seed)
Attribution
Specimens collected of the photographed plant for CHR
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: Ogle, C. (Year at time of access): Oxalis bowiei Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/oxalis-bowiei/ (Date website was queried)