Oxalis purpurea L.

Apparently acaulous perennial, but with underground stem above bulb; bulb narrow-ovoid; outer scales dark brown or blackish, ± shining, viscid, with inconspicuous nerves. Lvs radical, 3-foliolate. Petiole (1)–2–10–(20) cm long, hairy; stipules 3–7 mm long, appearing as a broad wing, sometimes ciliate. Lamina of leaflets sessile, somewhat unequal, the terminal larger and 10–35–(45) × 1–37–(45) mm, broadly obovate, sometimes broader than long, glabrous above, hairy beneath and densely marked with short, black, glandular dashes when dry; margins long-ciliate; base cuneate; apex rounded; lateral leaflets somewhat asymmetric at base. Fls solitary, erect; peduncles 1–11 cm long, hairy. Bracts 2–3 mm long, linear-subulate, usually in lower 1/2 of pedicel; calli 0. Sepals 6–7.5 mm long, elliptic, with longitudinal black streaks when dried, with dense long, white cilia, otherwise glabrous; calli 0. Corolla forming a deep cup 2.5–4 × 2.5–3 cm, with a lower, tubular part; petals 2–4 cm long, ± suborbicular, glabrous except for ciliate margins; lower part yellowish; limb usually rose or purplish, sometimes white flushed pink outside. Stamens at 2 levels, glabrous; filaments with broad membranous wing, often almost to apex in shorter stamens. Styles < or > longer stamen whorl, hairy. Capsule not seen.

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

Flowering: Apr.–Nov.