Oxalis hirta L.

Perennial herb; bulbs 2–2.5 cm long, broad-ovoid; outer tunic brown; skin pale pink below. Stems to 25 cm high, the main one erect, usually with a few erect branches, hairy. Lvs 3-foliolate, cauline. Petioles 0.5–3 mm long; stipular wing hairy, often rather narrow and inconspicuous. Petiolule < 0.5 mm long. Lamina of leaflets equal, 4–11 × 1.5–4 mm, oblanceolate to obovate, densely hairy below, glabrous above, copiously dotted with glands; apex emarginate or rounded. Fls solitary; pedicels (1.5)–3–8 cm long, densely hairy. Bracts situated in upper 1/2 of pedicel, 3–4.5 mm long, linear or linear-subulate, hairy; calli 0. Sepals 6–6.5 mm long, narrow-triangular, densely clothed in white hairs, obtuse; calli 0. Petals 2–2.5 cm long, hairy outside; lower tubular part yellow; limb bright or deep pink, broad-obovate. Stamens in 2 whorls, glabrous; filaments united below, those of longer whorl c. 6 mm long. Styles much > stamens in some fls, < upper stamen whorl in others, puberulent above, with patent white hairs towards base. Capsule not seen.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Apr.–Aug.