Violet Wood-Sorrel

(Oxalis violacea)

Violet Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis violacea)

Ilona Loser

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: Ilona Loser

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Ilona Loser | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Ilona Loser | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Violet_Wood-Sorrel_-_Oxalis_violacea.JPG | Notes: {{BotMoveToCommons|en.wikipedia|year={{subst:CURRENTYEAR}}|month={{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}}|day={{subst:CURRENTDAY}}}} == {{int:filedesc}} == {{Information |description={{en|1=A photograph of Pachypodium lamerei.}} |date=January 1, 2010 |source=I ([

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Oxalis violacea, commonly known as violet wood-sorrel, is a perennial herb that is native to grasslands, rocky woods, and open areas throughout central and eastern North America. This plant emerges in early spring from an underground bulb, producing leaf stems 7–13 cm (2+3⁄4–5 in) tall and flower clusters on stems 9–23 cm (3+1⁄2–9 in) tall. The lavender to white flowers with white to pale green centers appear above the foliage during April or May, rarely extending to July. With sufficient rainfall, it can produce additional flowers without leaves from August to October. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite showy when in mass bloom.

Violet wood-sorrel is valued for its delicate, clover-like foliage and its ability to spread, creating a dense carpet of greenery. It is often used as a flowering groundcover or perennial in traditional and native plant gardens, as well as in natural landscaping projects. It is relatively low-maintenance, tolerating a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade. While it prefers moist, well-drained soils, it can adapt to various soil types with slow to fast drainage. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread rapidly via runners and bulbs, which can be a benefit for filling in areas but may also become invasive in some settings. To control its spread, it may be necessary to remove unwanted plants and runners.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.5-0.8 feet
Width: 0.5-0.8 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Pink, Purple
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to grasslands, rocky woods, and open areas throughout central and eastern North America

Other Names

Common Names: Purple Woodsorrel, Violet Woodsorrel, Vinagrillo Morado

Scientific Names: , Oxalis violacea, Oxalis violacea var. trichophora, Oxalis violacea f. violacea, Ionoxalis violacea, Oxalis violacea var. violacea, Oxalis longiflora, Oxalis violacea f. albida, Acetosella violacea, Ionoxalis violacea var. trichophora

GBIF Accepted Name: Oxalis violacea L.