Oxalis tenuifolia Jacq.
A bulbous perennial with erect, slender stems with dense rosettes of leaves in the upper part, each leaf composed of 3 leaflets, somewhat folded and with a rolled edge, and solitary purple to white flowers, to 3cm across, with purple margins and yellow throats, in winter. [RHSD].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘This is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, the neighbourhood of which is celebrated for numerous sorts of this pretty genus. […] The blossoms rarely expand, but continue shut up, in which state, from the fine striped colour of their outsides, they are most beautiful.’ [LBC no.712/1823].
Oxalis tenuifolia was introduced to Britain in 1790 [JD] but this plant is probably Oxalis versicolor L.
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [B.379/1843].
Notes
Oxalis tenuifolia Eckl. & Zeyh. (1834) = Oxalis multicaulis Eckl. & Zeyh.. Probably not this plant.
Oxalis tenuifolia E.Mey. (1843) = O. versicolor L. which see.
A less likely possibility is possibility is Oxalis geniculata Kn. & West, a Brazilian species. This is a stemless bulbous perennial with tri-foliate leaves, the leaflets deeply notched, and brilliant yellow flowers with reddish streaks inside, singly on stems held above the foliage. ‘[O. geniculata] has been distributed from collections under the name tenuifolia, but no two plants can be more dissimilar.’ [Floral Cab. p.21/1838].
Published Jan 28, 2010 - 05:07 PM | Last updated Jan 28, 2010 - 05:13 PM
Oxalis tenuifolia Jacq. | LBC no.712/1823 | RBGS
| Family | Oxalidaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | South Africa |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Oxalis tenuifolia |
| Confidence level | high |