Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_13.gif)
Monday - June 22, 2015
From: Nederland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Difference between Oxalis debilis and Oxalis violacea
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
There are two species of pink oxalis reported to grow here in Jefferson County, Oxalis debilis (introduced) and O. violacea (native). How can I positively identify which one I have growing in my yard?ANSWER:
Oxalis violacea (Violet woodsorrel) is the native species and Oxalis debilis (Pink wood sorrel) is an escaped ornamental plant that is native to tropical America. Here is a description of O. debilis from PIER (Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk and here are descriptions of O. debilis var. corymbosa from Wildlife of Hawaii and from Q-Bank, a European database of invasive plants. Here is a description of O. violacea from Illinois Wildflowers and an extensive description from New England Plant Conservation Program.
Here are some comparisons of the two species using the PIER description for O. debilis and the New England Plant Conservation Program description for O. violacea.
Leaves:
O. debilis — 1.5-4.5 cm long, 2-6.5 cm wide
O. violacea — 0.6-1.3 cm long
O. debilis — oblong, 3.5-5 (-6) mm long
O. violacea — 4-7 mm long, glabrous, each with an orange gland at the apex
O. debilis — slender, flexuous, ascending, 10-25 cm long, more or less villous
O. violacea — 7-13 cm long and glabrous
Petals:
O. debilis — pinkish purple, spatulate, 11-20 mm long
O. violacea — purple to white, 1-2 cm long (10-20 mm long)
So, to summarize the most obvious differences:
- The leaves of O. debilis are longer than those of O. violacea
- The sepals of O. violacea have an orange gland at the tip; whereas, none is described for O. debiiis.
- The petioles of O. debilis are longer than those of O. violacea and they are hairy; wheras, those of O. violacea are smooth.
More Plant Identification Questions
Differentiating between Spiraea betulifolia and Spiraea japonica
April 12, 2005 - How can I tell the difference between Spiraea betulifolia var. corymbosa (an imperiled species) and Spiraea japonica (an invasive species) in the wild? They both seem to be the same size, color, habi...
view the full question and answer
Plant with orange berries in Oregon
August 24, 2009 - I have a viney type plant that hangs down over and along a rock wall at my house in Portland, that is producing an orange colored berry. What is it? Is it edible? My neighbor just tried one and he ...
view the full question and answer
Picture in newspaper from Austin
June 02, 2012 - Your gardening story for the Jan 21,2012 in the Austin American Statesman pictured a pale green bush with purple flowers, however the plant was not identified. Can you tell me what it is?
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Vine with wine-colored flowers in Washington County, TX
April 04, 2014 - I'm trying to identify a deep purple wine colored flowering vine in Washington County, Texas. It looks very similar to Texas wisteria, but it is something else. I've seen them growing in vineyards...
view the full question and answer
Difference between Styrax platanifolius and Styrax patanifolius ssp. texanus
November 18, 2011 - What is the difference between a Styrax platanifolius and a Styrax platanifolius texanus?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |