Lavender sorrel, Belimbing pasir
Oxalis barrelieri
A short plant with leaves made up of three oval leaflets. It has pale lavender flowers with a light-yellow centre. The flowers develop into fruit pods that look like small star fruits, hence the Malay name ‘Belimbing Pasir’. Leaves and fruits have a sour taste due to vitamin C but may be poisonous.
Status: Least concern, Introduced (Central and South America)
Habit: Annual herbaceous
Cultivation: Planted by seeds or transplanting
Ecological Function: Attracts pollinators, ground cover, produces fruit for birds
Pollinators: Large bees, possibly small flies
Soil: Loam, clay, organic soils
Moisture: Well drained soils
Shade: Partial shade, no shade
Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) 