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Oxalis debilis

Oxalis debilis

Kunth

Family: Oxalidaceae
Order: Oxalidales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Phylum / Division: Magnoliophyta
Kingdom: Plantae

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Description


Oxalis debilis, the large-flowered pink-sorrel or pink woodsorrel, is a perennial plant and herb in the family Oxalidaceae. Its original distribution is South America but it has become a cosmopolitan species, occurring in all continents except Antarctica. It can be found in both temperate and tropical areas.

The flowers, leaves and roots are edible. The plant contains oxalic acid, which can cause calcium deficiency if eaten in larger amounts, but typical quantities of the plant would likely not be enough to cause this effect.

 It is a bulbous plant. The fruit is a capsule. The seeds are projected, with an elastic integument. In Europe the plants are sterile and are propagating only by bulbs. The leaves have a zesty lemony flavor.

Research on the naturalizing populations in China show the presence of 2 flower morphs, pollen with low viability and polyploidy.

Varieties and cultivation: There are two varieties:
  • Oxalis debilis var. corymbosa (DC.) Lourteig – large-flowered pink-sorrel (Synonym : O. corymbosa)
  • Oxalis debilis var. debilis

´Aureoreticulata´ (´aureo-reticulata´) has attractive variegated leaves with flowers that are pinkish purple. This cultivar is also named ´Gold Veined Oxalis´ (Yellow Vein Oxalis) with attractive yellow vein foliage. The symptom is associated with the presence of a begomovirus. This virus, designated OxYVV, is transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci.

The Royal Horticultural Society advises that it can be a serious weed.

Distribution and habitat: Its original distribution is South America but it has become a cosmopolitan species, occurring in all continents except Antarctica. It can be found in both temperate and tropical areas.

Pests and diseases: Puccinia oxalidis is a fungus species in the genus Puccinia. This species is a causal agent of rust on plants in the genus Oxalis.

Uses: The flowers, leaves and roots are edible. There is concern that the plant should only be consumed in small amounts because it contains oxalic acid, which can cause calcium deficiency if eaten in larger amounts. Studies show that this is an exaggerated fear.

Source: Wikipedia, article Oxalis debilis. Content adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. Accessed on 18/07/2026.





Geographic distribution


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Species photographs

Count: 7

Foto
Photography ID: 680178
  Adult

El Cantadero
La Rioja
Argentina
01/29/2018
Federico Carlos Izasa
Foto
Photography ID: 674117
  Adult

San Miguel de Tucumán
Tucumán
Argentina
05/05/2020
Viviana Fuentes
Foto
Photography ID: 673902
  Adult

San Miguel de Tucumán
Tucumán
Argentina
02/19/2026
Viviana Fuentes
Foto
Photography ID: 668678
  Adult

La Candelaria
Catamarca
Argentina
01/15/2026
Ramón Vera
Foto
Photography ID: 668677
  Adult

La Candelaria
Catamarca
Argentina
01/15/2026
Ramón Vera


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Species reports



 Detail of places sorted by number of records






Species records

Count: 6



Page 1 of 1
Record IDDateExact timeCountryProvince / departmentPlaceFilmedPhotographedRecorded vocalObservedHeardWounded or deadNumber of individualsUser or BibliographyDetail
243599119/02/2026ArgentinaTucumánParque Guillermina - Av Mate De Luna 4100, San Miguel de TucumánViviana Fuentes
241884815/01/2026ArgentinaCatamarcaLa CandelariaRamón Vera
241884709/01/2026ArgentinaCatamarcaReserva Eco Educativa Las CorzuelasRamón Vera
248631120/10/202510:48ArgentinaMisionesCamino a Reserva Natural El Puente Verde, Ruta Provincial 251Gustavo Fernando Durán
243653605/05/2020ArgentinaTucumánParque Guillermina - Av Mate De Luna 4100, San Miguel de TucumánViviana Fuentes
245371729/01/2018ArgentinaLa RiojaEl CantaderoFederico Carlos Izasa
Page 1 of 1

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Recommended citation
Please use the following reference when citing this species account.
EcoRegistros. 2026. Oxalis debilis – Species account. Accessed from www.ecoregistros.org on 15/09/2026.