Oxalis truncatula leaflets

The leaves of Oxalis truncatula, each divided into three leaflets without petiolules (leaflet stalks), grow on short, sturdy and hairy petioles (leaf stalks) in a basal tuft. The flowers of O. truncatula are taller than the leaves, but appear before them, from mid-autumn to early winter. This gives the plant in bloom a height of 6 cm to 8 cm.

The leaflets are obovate to almost circular, the base tapering and the tip sometimes lobed and notched. There is a hint of reddish colouring near the upper leaf margins in the photo.

The leaflet midrib is markedly recessed on the upper surface, similar to the slightly smaller lateral veins ascending outwards to the leaflet tip. Some secondary veins upon the shiny, though hairy surface bring undulations that result in a coarse leaflet surface.

This leaf was spotted in Fernkloof in October when no flowering of this plant should be expected.

The distribution ranges from Paarl and Caledon to Bredasdorp. The habitat is stony mountain slopes on hard ground (Bean and Burman, 1985; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot).