Oxalidaceae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oxalidaceae |
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| Oxalis regnellii atropurpurea | |
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Oxalidaceae
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The Oxalidaceae is a family of flowering plants. This plant family includes about 900 different species. Most of these plants are annual or perennial herbs. This means they are often small, green plants that either live for one growing season or come back year after year.
These plants are mostly found in warm, wet places around the world. You can see them in tropical and subtropical areas. However, some types of Oxalidaceae plants also grow in cooler, temperate regions.
What Kinds of Plants Are They?
Most plants in the Oxalidaceae family are herbs. They do not have woody stems like trees or shrubs. Many are known for their leaves, which often look like clover. A common example is the wood sorrel, which has sour-tasting leaves.
These plants can be either annuals or perennials. Annual plants complete their entire life cycle in one year. Perennial plants live for more than two years, often coming back each spring.
The Starfruit Connection
The genus Averrhoa is part of the Oxalidaceae family. This genus includes the well-known starfruit. Starfruit is a popular fruit with a unique shape.
However, some plant scientists (called botanists) think that Averrhoa should be in its own separate family. They call this proposed family Averrhoaceae. This shows how scientists sometimes have different ideas about how to group plants. They use clues like plant structure and DNA to decide.
See also
In Spanish: Oxalidáceas para niños
