Oxalis triangularis
A South American tuberous houseplant with triangular purple leaves that fold at night from underground bulbs that store energy, producing small white or pink flowers, easy care in bright indirect light with well-drained soil, and edible corms in small amounts.
Common Names
Purple Shamrock, False Shamrock, Love Plant, Purple Wood Sorrel, Wood Sorrel
Summary
Originating in Brazil and other parts of South America, this low-growing perennial features triangular three-part leaves in deep purple hues that open in daylight and fold at night, with small pale pink to white flowers; it is cultivated as a versatile indoor houseplant or outdoor garden plant and is photophilic. Culture emphasizes well-drained soil and bright indirect light, with outdoor growth in sun to partial shade and indoor growth near bright windows; water when the top layer of soil dries, avoiding overwatering, and may enter winter or summer dormancy requiring reduced watering; propagation occurs by division or bulbs/corms; suitable for containers, borders, and decorative indoor collections.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-12 inches
Spread
1-2 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 8-11
Sunlight Requirements
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-draining, loamy soil.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil; not waterlogged.
Soil pH
6-7
Bloom Color
White to pink to purple
Bloom Time
Spring and Summer
Foliage Color
Purple
Fall Foliage Color
Purple
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Medium rate
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Division, Seeds, Cuttings, Leaf cuttings, Corm/bulb separation, Tuber division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and butterflies
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- A.St.-Hil.
- Publication
- Fl. Bras. Merid. 1: 128 (1825)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Oxalidales
- Family
- Oxalidaceae
- Genus
- Oxalis
Synonyms
Oxalis truncata Acetosella oxyptera Acetosella papilionacea Acetosella regnellii Acetosella triangularis Acetosella yapacaniensis Oxalis palustris Oxalis papilionacea Oxalis regnellii Oxalis triangularis subsp. papilionacea Oxalis delta Oxalis oxyptera Oxalis venturiana Oxalis vernalis Oxalis triangularis subsp. triangularis Oxalis glaberrima Oxalis tenuiscaposa Oxalis yapacaniensis Oxalis catharinensis Oxalis palustris var. major Oxalis regnellii var. catharinensis Oxalis triangularis f. glabrifolia Oxalis triangularis var. lepida Acetosella palustris Oxalis corumbaensis Acetosella catharinensis