Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Oxalis metcalfei (Small) Knuth
(Alpine Woodsorrel)


Family: Oxalidaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Ionoxalis alpina Rose
Ionoxalis metcalfei Small
Ionoxalis monticola Small
Oxalis alpina (Rose) Rose ex Knuth
Oxalis bulbosa A. Nelson
Oxalis monticola Small

Oxalis metcalfei has pink or violet flowers. The leaves have three cleft lobes, about as long as wide. Oxalis alpina is found at higher elevation along with Oxalis decaphylla. Oxalis metcalfei is nearly indistinguishable from Oxalis violacea in the field. Aside from the higher elevation habitat preference, Oxalis metcalfei also has two distinct orange tubercles at the apex of the sepals while those of Oxalis violacea are confluent. The staminal filaments are not appendaged on either of the species.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Oxalis metcalfei, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak, July 22, 2009



Oxalis metcalfei, leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak, July 22, 2009



Oxalis metcalfei, fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak, July 22, 2009



Oxalis metcalfei, bulb, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak, July 22, 2009



Oxalis metcalfei, 4x macro of staminal filaments without appendages, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak, July 22, 2009



Oxalis metcalfei, 4x macro of distinct tubercles on sepals, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak, July 22, 2009



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