A common weed that is a major problem in greenhouse and nursery containers.
Pronunciation
(oks-AL-iss)
Plant Type
All Plants, Weeds
Sunlight
full to part sun
Moisture
average
Soil & Site
tolerates most soils, common in degraded areas
Flowers
yellow with 5 petals and occur from long stalks at the leaf axis
Fruit
The fruit is a pointed cylindrical capsule with flat sides. Seeds are dispersed by explosively ejecting the seeds.
Leaves
green, alternate, trifoliate, with smooth margins, fringe hairs, close up at night, leaflets are obcordate
Stems
The stems are more prostrate than erect and form a long slender rhizome with fibrous roots.
Dimensions
Usually around 6" tall but may reach 1 foot.
Maintenance
As a weed in the soil rather easy to pull, but don't leave pieces of the stem behind since it will root. In a container the plants long slender rhizomes follow the inside edge of the pot and form a mass of stems.
Author's Notes
I like to take a few leaves of this plant and eat them. Has a stronge citrus taste.