''Oxalis virginea,'' commonly known as Virgin sorrel, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
from the genus ''
Oxalis
''Oxalis'' ( (American English) or (British English)) is a large genus of flowering plants in the wood-sorrel family Oxalidaceae, comprising over 550 species. The genus occurs throughout most of the world, except for the Polar region, polar are ...
''.
It is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
. ''O. virginea'' was first described by
Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin
Nikolaus Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin (16 February 172726 October 1817) was a scientist who studied medicine, chemistry and botany.
Biography
Born in Leiden in the Netherlands, he studied medicine at Leiden University, then moved first to P ...
in
1798
Events
January–June
* January – Eli Whitney contracts with the U.S. federal government for 10,000 muskets, which he produces with interchangeable parts.
* January 4 – Constantine Hangerli enters Bucharest, as Prince of Wa ...
.
This species is apparently lacking a type specimen.
Description
''Oxalis virginea'' has a stem of 1 to 4 cm in length, often branched, and densely hairy. In cultivation the stem can be longer.
It is single flowered, terminal, with hairy peduncles, barely 1cm long. Each peduncle has two bracts.
The flowers are white, 1.3–1.5 cm long, and hairy.
Range
This species is found in South Africa.
Conservation status
''Oxalis virginea'' is regarded as being rare but not threatened.
Gallery
Oxalis virginea 43528281.jpg,
Oxalis_virginea_43528291.jpg,
Oxalis_virginea_43528302.jpg,
References
*
virginea
{{Oxalidales-stub