Garden pink-sorrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Garden pink-sorrel |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Oxalis
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| Species: |
latifolia
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Oxalis latifolia is a pretty flowering plant often called garden pink-sorrel or broadleaf woodsorrel. It belongs to the woodsorrel family. This plant originally comes from Mexico and parts of Central and South America.
What it Looks Like
The garden pink-sorrel is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from small, onion-like parts called bulbs, which are like underground storage units. It also spreads using stolons, which are like runners that grow along the ground.
This plant doesn't have a main stem above ground. Its leaves grow directly from the ground on long stalks called petioles. Each leaf is made up of three heart-shaped parts called leaflets. These leaflets can be about 4.5 centimeters wide.
The plant produces several flowers together. Each flower has five pink petals. Some types of this plant can even have white flowers!
Why it Can Be a Problem
Oxalis latifolia is known as an introduced species in many other parts of the world. This means it was brought to places where it doesn't naturally grow. In some areas, it has become a noxious weed and an invasive species. An invasive species is a plant (or animal) that spreads quickly and can harm local plants or crops. It can take over farms and gardens.
For example, in south-eastern Australia, you can find it in gardens, along roads, and in places where the ground has been disturbed. It likely escaped from gardens. This plant spreads easily because its tiny bulbils (small bulbs) can be moved around in soil. It can also spread through water runoff, by ants, and even by larger animals like dogs and birds.
Gallery
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Pink flowers
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Roadside in India
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Flower detail in Como, New South Wales
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White flower variety
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See also
In Spanish: Acedera rosada para niños
