Introduction:
Creeping woods (Oxalis corniculata)
Oxalis corniculata is a cosmopolitan herb that is found worldwide. Spread of this species is due to high production of fertile seeds and its presence on all continents and many islands indicates that seeds are probably carried by birds. O. corniculata is thought to be invasive in many areas: Australasia-Pacific (such as Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands), Asia (such as Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea), Central America (Cayman Islands) and North America (Canada).
Description:
A caespitose or creeping herb, Oxalis corniculata has stems growing upto 50 cm in length. It has fine hair (pilose) on the stems, petioles and leaflet blades. The stipules of this herb are usually present but inconspicuous, where it grows to 3 mm long. The petioles are 1 - 6 cm long; the leaflets subsessile, subequal and blades obcordate, 4- 20 mm long and broad. Inflorescences, 1-6 are flowered, are usually 2 - 7 cm long. The petals are yellow and are somewhat larger than the sepals.
Occurs in:
Agricultural areas, coastland, range/grasslands, ruderal/disturbed, urban areas, water courses, wetlands.
Distribution Map:
Creeping woods (Oxalis corniculata) Distribution in North America shown in green.
Habitat description:
Oxalis corniculata, being cosmopolitan in its distribution and having high production in fertile seed, can be found at home in gardens, lawns, arable land and pastures. In Hawaii, it occurs particularly in the open, disturbed sites in coastal and subalpine habitats at elevations of 0 - 2300 m above sea level. In Fiji, on the otherhand, it is a
Close up of the Creeping woods (Oxalis corniculata) Weed.
common plant along roads and trails at elevations from near sea level to about 750 metres. Regardless of area, it has been noticed as an invasive and weedy plant.
Notes:
Subordinate taxa of O. corniculata include O. corniculata corniculata and O. corniculata var. atropurpurea.
Geographical range:
Native Range: origin obscure.
Known introduced range: Oxalis corniculata is a worldwide weed, with a known range including American Samoa, Anguilla, Australia, Bermuda, Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands, Canada, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Guatemala, Indonesia, Hawaii, Japan, Kermadec Islands, Kiribati, Lord Howe Island, Malaysia, Marquesas Islands, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Midway Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Seychelles, Samoa, Society Islands, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Tristan da Cunha, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna.
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