Oxalis pes-caprae

This stemless (acaulescent) perennial geophyte (meaning it has its food storage underground such as a bulbs, corms, rhizomes) tends to grow densly forming large mats of yellow clusters of flowers from late Winter to late Spring mainly in the clearing west of the tennis courts.

These flowers are an important food source for the honey bees.  Nectar (carbohydrate) and pollen (protein) are collected by the foraging bees.  The pollen is transferred from one flowerto another providing the service of pollination, which allows the plant to reproduce.

The leaves are carried on long stalks, they are trifoliate  and heart-shaped.

The name Oxalis comes from the Greek oxis, meaning acid, referring to the sour-tasting sap of some species and pes-caprae means goat’s foot, perhaps referring to the cloverleaf/cloven shape of the leaves.