Carpets of colour: It’s flowering time for eye-catching Oxalis

Carpets of colour: It’s flowering time for eye-catching Oxalis

There is nothing that shouts “winter” more in Overberg Renosterveld than the blooming of beautiful Oxalis. Some grow and bloom en masse, creating carpets of yellow, pink and white. Other more delicate beauties grow in the shelter of larger shrubs, with their flowers a reward for those who get to their hands and knees to truly appreciate the extraordinary diversity of Overberg Renosterveld.

Above: Oxalis capillacea

Oxalis are known for their brightly coloured flowers, clover-like leaves, corms and explosively dispersed seeds. They are widespread throughout the temperate and tropical parts of the world, but the genus has centres of diversity in South America and South Africa’s winter-rainfall zone.

Above: Oxalis truncatula

Some species of Oxalis are known for being very weedy in nature and are widespread and common throughout their distribution range. Some have even become invasive in other parts of the world. But there are an extraordinary range of species that have limited distribution ranges, highly specialised habitats and that have become increasingly threatened due to habitat loss.

Here we take a closer look at some of the beautiful Oxalis winter blooms that can be found growing in Overberg Renosterveld.

Oxalis confertifolia

Blooming in bright pink through to rosy purple in early winter (May to June), Oxalis confertifolia is found on shale-derived soils from Ceres to Riversdale. Unlike the distinctively trifoliate leaves of many members of the genus, this species has many tiny leaves packed tightly along the stem, from which its name originates.

Oxalis confertifolia has been recognised by plant taxonomist Bruce Bayer as forming part of the Oxalis pardalis Sond. complex. However, Oxalis experts disagree with this lumping and have recommended additional research to further define this species.

Above: Oxalis confertifolia

Oxalis convexula

Easily recognised for its well-developed above-ground stem and rounded appearance, Oxalis convexula is one of the more distinct members of the Oxalis genus. The plant has been described as looking like a small lollipop standing above the ground in the Renosterveld.

Also known as the convex-leaved wood sorrel, this species grows on shale-derived soils from Ceres to Riversdale. Its salmon pink and yellow-tubed blooms are produced from June through to September. The species name means ‘with a rounded shape’, referring to the shape of the plant.

Above: Oxalis convexula

Oxalis duriuscula

The flowers of the fine-stemmed Oxalis duriuscula are found in colours from white to rosy purple with a yellow tube. Some examples have darker pink colouring along the margins of the reverse of the petals, creating an almost candy cane like appearance.

This species is distributed across the Overberg between the towns of Botrivier, Heidelberg and Bredasdorp. Its population has become severely fragmented due to habitat loss for agriculture, with population decline ongoing. Oxalis duriuscula is Endangered on the Red List of South African Plants.

Above: Oxalis cf. duriuscula

Oxalis flava

With its small fan-shaped leaves, the veld is lit up by the bright yellow flowers of Oxalis flava, also known as the yellow sorrel, during the winter months. The colour of the blooms is epitomised by its species name, which when translated means ‘yellow’ or ‘gold-coloured’.

This species is relatively widespread in South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region and is distributed from Namaqualand southwards to the Overberg and eastwards to Riversdale. Look out for the beautiful blooms of this species in the veld from May to June.

Above: Oxalis flava

Oxalis pendulifolia

Known for its distinctive pendulous leaves, Oxalis pendulifolia has pink to brick red flowers. It grows in lowland areas on shale derived soils from Swellendam in the Overberg eastwards to Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route.

Relatively few localities have been identified for this species, but it is also highly likely that it has been under-collected with a more extensive population than previously thought. It is threatened by habitat loss from transformation for agriculture and coastal housing development. Oxalis pendulifolia is listed as Near Threatened on the Red List of South African Plants.

Above: Oxalis pendulifolia. Image: Jannie Groenewald

Oxalis pers-caprae

Oxalis pers-caprae or ‘suring’ in Afrikaans is one of the most well-known of the Oxalis genus in South Africa. This relatively common species is one of the key ingredients of the traditional Cape stew waterblommetjie bredie. It has a sour taste due to its oxalic acid.

The species name when translated means ‘goat’s foot’, which is thought to refer to the shape of the leaves. Oxalis pers-caprae is widespread and grows well under disturbed conditions. It is found from Namaqualand south and eastwards in the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape.

Above: Oxalis pers-caprae

Further Reading

For more information on these tiny winter flowering jewels and the extraordinary biodiversity of Overberg Renosterveld, check out our Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg, which is available online via our website.

Any purchases you make at our online shop help us to keep protecting these highly threatened ecosystems.

Top: Oxalis eckloniana. Below: Oxalis polyphylla