Oxalis hedysaroides, known as the fire fern, is not a fern but a flowering perennial plant native throughout Colombia and Ecuador.[1][2] It is a member of the woodsorrel genus (Oxalis) that grows to 30 cm height and 10 cm spread.
| Oxalis hedysaroides | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Oxalidales |
| Family: | Oxalidaceae |
| Genus: | Oxalis |
| Species: | O. hedysaroides
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| Binomial name | |
| Oxalis hedysaroides | |
The plant gets its common name from the fact that its leaves, while starting green, turn a deep purple red with exposure to sun. Oxalis hedysaroides is a very mobile plant and will rotate its foliage significantly to follow the sun. At dusk, the plant can seem to quiver slightly as the red leaves partially close by folding in half.
The foliage of the fire fern is supported by branched wiry purple stems, and the plant produces small yellow flowers when in bloom.
References
edit- ^ "Oxalis hedysaroides Kunth | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
- ^ MAENE, L; P, DEBERGH (1981). "In Vitro Propagation and Culture of Oxalis Hedysaroides H.B.K. CV. Fire Tree". Mededelingen van de Faculteit Landbouwwetenschappen, Rijksuniversiteit Gent. 46 (4): 1201–1203.
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