Oxalis versicolor

Oxalis versicolor or candy cane sorrel is a species of flowering plant in the family Oxalidaceae found in South Africa.[1]

Oxalis versicolor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis
Species:
O. versicolor
Binomial name
Oxalis versicolor
L.

A bulbous perennial, it grows to 8–15 cm (3.1–5.9 in) forming a mound of fresh green leaves, each leaf composed of three elongated leaflets. In late summer and autumn, narrow white tubular buds form at the tip of slender stems. A curved scarlet edging to each petal gives the appearance of a candy cane. The flowers open in full sunlight, but remain furled at other times.[2]

In cultivation in the UK this plant is only completely hardy in mild or coastal areas, down to −5 °C (23 °F). It has been given the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]

In the United States this plant grows up to 12 inches tall, prefers full to partial sun, blooms in the summer, and is hardy in USDA zones 7 - 9.[5]

References
  1. "Oxalis versicolor". Tropicos.
  2. "Oxalis versicolor (candy cane sorrel)". Gardenia.net. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  3. "RHS Plantfinder - Oxalis versicolor". Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  4. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 70. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  5. Spring 2021 Garden Catalog. Bloomington, IL: Burgess Seed & Plant Co. 2021. p. 20.


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