Purple Shamrock Oxalis triangularis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Oxalis regnellii
- Phonetic Spelling
- oks-AL-iss
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Purple Shamrock Plant is a rhizomatous herbaceous ornamental garden or houseplant in the wood sorrel family that is native to South America. The trifoliate leaves resemble a shamrock and can be green to variegated to deep maroon in color. The leaves close up at night or when disturbed. The white to pink 5-petaled flowers bloom in clusters in spring to summer on stems held above the plant and also close at night.
In most of NC, it will need to be grown as a houseplant. Use a loamy potting mix with good drainage and allow the surface to dry between waterings. Place in full sun to partial shade. The plant may go dormant for a while in fall or if it gets too hot or too dry. Cut back on watering and wait for new growth to appear.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Collector’s Garden Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden Herb & Flower Cottage Garden Asian Garden - Zen Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Atropurpurea'
deep purple leaves with a wide black border, light pink flower during the summer - 'Charmed Wine'
deep purple shamrock-like leaves, white flowers - 'Ebony'
purple black shamrock-like leaves, white flowers that transition to pink as they mature - 'Fanny'
olive green leaves with silver pattern in the center of the leaf, soft pink flowers - 'Francis'
bright purple shamrock-like leaves, light lavender flower in the fall - Mijke'
deep purple leaves, mauve flowers in the spring and summer
- 'Atropurpurea'
- 'Atropurpurea', 'Charmed Wine', 'Ebony', 'Fanny', 'Francis', Mijke'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Atropurpurea'
deep purple leaves with a wide black border, light pink flower during the summer - 'Charmed Wine'
deep purple shamrock-like leaves, white flowers - 'Ebony'
purple black shamrock-like leaves, white flowers that transition to pink as they mature - 'Fanny'
olive green leaves with silver pattern in the center of the leaf, soft pink flowers - 'Francis'
bright purple shamrock-like leaves, light lavender flower in the fall - Mijke'
deep purple leaves, mauve flowers in the spring and summer
- 'Atropurpurea'
- 'Atropurpurea', 'Charmed Wine', 'Ebony', 'Fanny', 'Francis', Mijke'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Oxalis
- Species:
- triangularis
- Family:
- Oxalidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer resistant. Attracts butterflies.
- Edibility:
- Leaves and flowers are edible but should be used in moderation.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 11a, 11b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Saucer
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 5-petaled white to pale pink flowers early summer through fall. They close at night.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deep maroon to green trifoliate leaves that close at night.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- All parts of the plant have toxic potential, although the possibility of serious effects is usually limited to ingestions of large quantities. Consuming Oxalis species can produce colic in horses, and kidney failure is possible if significant amounts are eaten.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Soluble calcium oxylates
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
