Oxalis spiralis

Oxalis spiralis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Oxalidales
Family:	Oxalidaceae
Genus:	Oxalis
Species:	O. spiralis
Binomial name
Oxalis spiralis G.Don[1]
Synonyms
Oxalis vulcanicola Donn.Sm., 1897

Oxalis spiralis, the spiral sorrel,^[2] is a species of plant of the genus Oxalis, a member of the wood sorrel family Oxalidaceae.

Taxonomy

The following subspecies are accepted:^[3]

• Oxalis spiralis subsp. spiralis
• Oxalis spiralis subsp. membranifolia (R.Knuth) Lourteig
• Oxalis spiralis subsp. trichophora Lourteig
• Oxalis spiralis subsp. vulcanicola (Donn.Sm.) Lourteig – volcanic sorrel,^[4][5] velvet oxalis^[5]

Distribution

Oxalis spiralis is native to Central America and western South America.^[3][6]

Cultivation

Spiral sorrel is cultivated for its ornamental value. Several cultivars of Oxalis spiralis subsp. vulcanicola are available, including:^[5]

• O. spiralis subsp. vulcanicola 'Aureus' – bright yellow-green foliage
• O. spiralis subsp. vulcanicola 'Molten Lava' – bright yellow-green and copper-red foliage
• O. spiralis subsp. vulcanicola 'Zinfandel' – dark purple, nearly black foliage
• O. spiralis subsp. vulcanicola 'Plum Crazy' – dark purple foliage, randomly variegated

Gallery

• 
  Flower
• 
  Growth habit in a planter
• 
  'Zinfandel'

References

1. "Oxalis spiralis G.Don". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
2. NRCS. "Oxalis spiralis". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2018-09-28.
3. "Oxalis spiralis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
4. NRCS. "Oxalis spiralis ssp. vulcanicola". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2018-09-28.
5. "Oxalis spiralis ssp. vulcanicola". www.learn2grow.com. Learn2Grow.
6. "Oxalis spiralis". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2018-09-28.