320 Plants and their Ways in South Africa 



Order OXALIDACE^E. 



Flowers regular, perfect. Calyx imbricate ; petals twisted 

 in the bud, clawed, deciduous. Stamens 10, the 5 opposite 

 the petals shorter. Ovary 5 -celled, with styles of different 



FIG. 296. The Oxalis. I. Awake. II. Asleep. 



lengths in different flowers. Fruit a fleshy, many-seeded 

 capsule. The seed has a fleshy cup or aril at the base. 

 When ripe, this turns suddenly inside out, and the seed is shot 

 off some distance. 



Oxalis. Usually stemless herbs with compound ex-stipulate leaves 

 of 3 to many leaflets. The leaves sleep at night and on very cold days, 

 and the flowers on very bright days as well. 



Many species have underground bulbs and fleshy stems. Oxalis is 

 one of our brightest winter flowers. Early in April and May, they clothe 

 the veld with masses of yellow, or stud it with white and red in many 

 shades during July and August. 



