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Oxalis purpurea L.
Largeflower Wood Sorrel

Reference
Sp.Pl. [Linnaeus] 1:433 (1753)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Bulbaceous, perennial, herb, 0.05-0.17 m high. Fl. pink-purple/white, May to Sep. Roadsides, vacant lands.

Grazyna Paczkowska, Descriptive Catalogue, 12 August 1996
Image

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions
Fitzgerald, Geraldton Hills, Katanning, Merredin, Northern Jarrah Forest, Perth, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren, Western Mallee.
IMCRA Regions
WA South Coast.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Albany, Armadale, Augusta Margaret River, Beverley, Brookton, Broomehill-Tambellup, Busselton, Chittering, Cranbrook, Dowerin, Dumbleyung, Goomalling, Gosnells, Greater Geraldton, Harvey, Katanning, Kulin, Kwinana, Lake Grace, Manjimup, Mundaring, Murray, Nannup, Narrogin, Nedlands, Northam, Perth, Pingelly, Plantagenet, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, South Perth, Stirling, Subiaco, Swan, Three Springs, Toodyay, Victoria Plains, Wagin, Wanneroo, Williams, Woodanilling, York.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Purple Wood Sorrel.

General Biology. Growth form. Geophyte. Life form. Annually renewed bulb. Reproduction. Bulbils. Dispersal. Soil. Fire response. Generally survives fire.

Notes. Not known to set seed in Australia.

Additional information. Origin. South Africa. Similar exotic species. Oxalis depressa.

Suggested method of management and control. Spot spray metsulfuron methyl 0.2 g/15 L + Pulse®, or 1% glyphosate. Apply at bulb exhaustion, generally just on flowering. Exercise care if manually removing as physical removal can result in spread of bulbils. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Dormant Y Y Y                 Y  
Active Growth       Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y    
Flowering         Y Y Y Y Y        
Optimum Treatment         Y Y              

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Benson, D. & McDougall, L. (1999) Ecology of Sydney Plant Species Part 7a, Dicotyledon families Nyctaginaceae to Primulaceae. Cunninghamia, 6 (2): 403-441.
  • Brooks, K. (2001) Managing weeds in bushland: Soursob, Fingerleaf and Four oclock (Oxalis pes-caprae, O.glabra and O.purpurea). Environmental Weeds Action Network URL: http://www.environmentalweedsactionnetwork.org.au/ - Accessed December 2007.
  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1990-93) Flora of New South Wales Vols. 1 to 4. New South Wales University Press, Kensington.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Peirce, J.R. (1990) Effects of herbicides on growth and bulb production of four o'clock (Oxalis purpurea L.) and soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae L.). In Proceedings of the 9th Australian Weeds Conference. Adelaide, South Australia.
  • Sala, A., Verdaguer, D. & Vilà, M. (2007) Sensitivity of the invasive geophyte Oxalis pes-caprae to nutrient availability and competition. Annals of Botany, 99 (4): 637.