(Oxalidaceae)

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Violet-Colored Wood Sorrel (Oxalis)

In New Mexico, several species of wood sorrel have violet-colored flowers and shamrock-like leaves.

I had similar-looking wood sorrel plants in a former front yard in Albuquerque, but the flowers lacked the prominent white throats seen in the wild species. I suspect my front yard plants were Pink Wood Sorrel, Oxalis articulata, a garden plant that originated in South America. I bring this up (and have included a photo) in case you encounter a violet-colored wood sorrel in town.

Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis)

There are several species of yellow wood sorrel (or woodsorrel) in New Mexico; these pictures are probably of Oxalis stricta, Common Yellow Wood Sorrel. Look for a five-petaled yellow flower above leaves that are shamrock-like but much smaller and often partly folded.