Oxalis versicolor L.

Perennial herb; bulb with black, ± shining tunic. Stems erect, to 15 cm tall, glabrous or somewhat hairy, pink, with most lvs clustered at top. Lvs 3-foliolate. Petiole 0.2–5 cm long, hairy; stipules adnate to petiole, inconspicuous. Lamina of leaflets sessile, ± equal, 7–14 × 1.5–4 mm, narrow-linear to linear-oblong, broadest at apex, glabrous above, hairy below; apex emarginate with orange calli on each side of groove. Fls solitary; peduncle 2–4 cm long, hairy. Bracts 1.5–2.5 mm long, narrow-linear; calli prominent. Sepals 3.5–5 mm long, oblong-elliptic, hairy; calli 2, orange. Petals (1.3)–1.6–1.9 cm long, obovate and somewhat oblique, white with prominent rose margin (appearing striped in the convolute bud), glandular-hairy outside. Stamens at 2 levels; longer whorl much > styles; filaments minutely puberulent, dilated in lower 1/2. Styles intermediate between the 2 stamen whorls, 2–2.5 mm long, puberulent. Capsule not seen.

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

Flowering: Aug.–Nov.