Fingerleaf Oxalis
Common name
Fingerleaf Oxalis
Scientific Name
Oxalis glabra
Type of plant
Bulbs or Corms
About this weed
The bright pink flowers of Oxalis glabra make it easily identifiable in urban bushland. It flowers from autumn through to spring and is common in disturbed areas and along firebreaks and tracks. This perennial herb originally from South Africa grows from bulbs that are renewed annually.
Description
Fingerleaf Oxalis is a small, slender plant growing between 0.05-0.2 m high. It produces pretty, solitary vibrant pink-purple/red & yellow flowers in winter and early spring.It bears many small leaves along its thin, upright stem. The bulb is annually renewed although the plants reproduces by bulbils. It is not known to set seed in Australia. In response to fire it generally survives.
Impact on Bushland
If left will spread over bushland and impact on ecological processes and plant communities.
Location
Found in various locations across the South-West Province usually in disturbed areas. It prefers sand, clay, sandy clay or lateritic soils.
Priority for removal
High: may become a major threat to conservation values anywhere it has taken hold.
Management (hand)
If manually removing care should be taken to remove all bulbils as they are easily separated from the main root structure.
Management (herbicide)
Spraying in June and July is optimal as this is when the bulb is exhausted just prior to flowering is also successful. Spot spray metsulfuron methyl 0.2 g/15 L + Pulse®, or 1% Glyphosate. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimal time for spraying is May and June.
Flowering month/s
May, June, July, August
Flower colour/s
Red, Yellow, Pink, Purple
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/4352
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.
