Oxalis pes-caprae L.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The Cape of Good Hope, that most fertile source of curious and beautiful plants, affords numerous species of Wood Sorrel, and, among others, the present one, which is distinguished for the largeness of its blossoms, they are of a fine yellow colour, and when expanded by the influence of the sun, make a very conspicuous figure in the greenhouse; it begins to flower early in April and continues about 2 months in bloom, many flowering stems emerging from the same root.  This species is of free growth, and increases plentifully by bulbs, which are produced on the crown of the root, as well as in its fibres; these, when the plant decays, should be taken up, and two or three of the largest planted in the middle of a pot filled with a mixture of bog earth and rotten leaves, well incorporated; towards winter, the pots should be placed in the green-house, or in a frame so secured as perfectly to keep out frost.’  Oxalis caprina was first cultivated in Britain by Miller in 1757 under this name.  [BM t.237/1793].  

LBC no.1109/1827 as Oxalis caprina,  LBC no.1154/1827 as Oxalis pes-caprae.

History at Camden Park

Introduced to the gardens before 1843 and listed in all catalogues [B.368/1843].  Now a major weed pest in many parts of Australia and gazetted a noxious weeds in some southern states.  Locally naturalised at Camden Park in the house garden but largely confined to the garden and not a significant weed in the surrounding farmland. 

Notes