144 THE OXALIS. 



extremities of rootlets. The bulbs are composed of fleshy 

 scales, either loose or closely imbricate. 



Most of the species produce their flowers with the foliage ; 

 but a few bloom first, and then mature the leaves. 



In some species, the new bulbs are produced at the end 

 of long, straggling roots, the old bulb dying. Generally, on 

 examination, a pot of oxalis will be found filled with strag- 

 ling roots, producing bulbs at the ends, or sometimes pro- 

 fusely along the sides, of the rootlets. 



Many have thick, fusiform roots, which break from the 

 base of the bulbs, but which dry up and fall away when the 

 season's growth is finished. 



The foliage is generally petiolate, and much resembles 

 clover, and has a sharp, sour taste ; whence the name of the 

 species. The flowers are mostly yellow, red, pink, or white, 

 and the various shades of these colors ; and are often fra- 

 grant. They open in the sun, closing in dull weather and at 

 night. 



Seed is not easily ripened ; and propagation is effected by 

 the increase of bulbs, which takes place freely. We have 

 some native species, one of which is an annual ; and the 

 little oxalis which carpets our Northern woods ( 0. acetocella) 

 is well known to every observant White-mountain tourist. 



