Oxalis barrelieri aka Barrelier's Woodsorrel

Oxalis barrelieri belongs to the wood-sorrel family, Oxalidaceae. It is a perennial, so it lives for more than two years. Its English name is Barrelier's woodsorrel. Useful Tropical Plants gives its range as South America through Mesoamerica to southern Mexico. It lists Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. It also lists Colombia, Venezuela and the Guyanas. PFAF adds records from several Caribbean islands. The two sources differ on its native range.

This herb grows upright and branches. Dense leaves grow from its base. The lower stems often turn woody. Useful Tropical Plants gives a height of 0.5–2 feet [0.15–0.60 metres]. Its summary lists about 1.5 feet [0.45 metres]. These figures give no separate size range for garden plants. The sources give no width or full account of the leaves. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers. The evidence gives no flower colour or bloom season. It gives no facts about the fruit.

In the wild, it grows in forest clearings and along roadsides. It also grows as a weed in land used for crops. Reported sites lie at 2,950–4,000 feet [900–1,220 metres] above sea level. PFAF lists garden beds as a place to grow it. Its profile lists sandy or loamy soil that drains well. It lists soil from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. It rules out shade but allows dry or moist soil. Yet PFAF bases these notes on the needs of the genus as a whole. Thus, this species' care needs remain unclear. Its hardiness in cold weather also remains unclear.

People gather the wild plant for local food use. They eat the leaves raw or cooked. Oxalic acid gives the leaves a sour taste. Both sources say to eat only small amounts. Cooking lowers the oxalic acid but does not remove this warning. Large servings can leave less calcium for the body to use. People prone to kidney stones, gout or arthritis should take care. The sources also warn people with rheumatism or too much stomach acid.

Neither source lists a use as medicine or any other practical use. The evidence gives no facts on pests or diseases. Its presence in crop fields shows it can act as a weed. This does not prove that it is invasive. PFAF also marks its weed flag as no. The evidence on weed status is thus mixed.