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Oxalis violacea L.
Violet Woodsorrel
Not native to Florida
In Florida a rare wildflower of open hammocks and clearings in only four panhandle counties plus Putnum County in the north peninsula. Widespread in dry woods, pinelands, barrens and rocky places across much of the United States. Not present in New Hampshire, Maine and the western states from Montana to California, except is found in Oregon.
Oxalis violacea is a low colonial stemless - having only basal leaves and flowering stalks - perennial wildflower. The trifoliate leaves have 6-13mm (1/4 to 1/2 in.) long leaflets that are notched at the tip and tinged with purple. The five-petaled flowers can vary from purple to pink and sometimes white. The sepals are tipped with orange glands. The 10-20cm (4 to 8 in.) tall stalks hold the umbel-like clusters of flowers above the leaves.
Oxalis violacea is a member of the Oxalidaceae - Wood-Sorrel family.
Other species of the Oxalis genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Oxalis corniculata - COMMON YELLOW WOODSORREL
Oxalis debilis - PINK WOODSORREL
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Apr 18, 2023
