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Native Plant Database

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Oxalis oregana (Redwood-sorrel)
Sherman, Doug

Oxalis oregana Nutt.

Redwood-sorrel, Oregon Wood Sorrel

Oxalidaceae (Wood-Sorrel Family)

USDA Symbol: oxor

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A low plant in patches, with 3 heart-shaped leaflets on each leaf and 1 funnel-shaped, white or rose-pink flower at end of each stalk; leaf and flower stalks both about the same length and attached to the plant at ground level.

This species forms lush, solid, inviting carpets on the cool floor of coastal redwood forests. The sour juice is characteristic of this genus, and gives the genus name, from the Greek oxys (sour). A similar species in the same general region and habitat, Great Oxalis (O. trilliifolia), has 2 or more flowers on a stalk. There are also several yellow-flowered species of Oxalis in the West, some aggressively weedy.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Coastal central California to Washington; east to the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains.
Native Habitat: Forest shade.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Does best in moist, acidic to slightly neutral soil.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Cuttings , Seeds
Description: Divide rhizomes in early spring.
Seed Collection: Seeds appear throughout summer.
Seed Treatment: Plant seeds fresh.

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. Leyerle

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Oxalis oregana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Oxalis oregana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Oxalis oregana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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