Bloomipedia
Largeflower pink-sorrel (Oxalis debilis)
Photo: Vijay Barve via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Largeflower pink-sorrel

Oxalis debilis

Largeflower pink-sorrel (Oxalis debilis) is a flowering plant in the Oxalidaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly February–April across the U.S.

Introduced in the lower 48

Largeflower pink-sorrel is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 3 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in February–April.

9states where USDA records it
3Bloomipedia state lists include it
11,794U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi

Quick look

Oxalis debilis, the large-flowered pink-sorrel or pink woodsorrel, is a perennial plant and herb in the family Oxalidaceae. Its original distribution is South America but it has become a cosmopolitan species, occurring in all continents except Antarctica. It can be found in both temperate and tropical areas.

  • It belongs to the Oxalidaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 9 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as not native to Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. NatureServe
  • In Florida, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in January–April. iNaturalist
  • In Louisiana, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–April. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 3,738 research-grade sightings of it in Florida, ranking #75 among the 151 flowers on our Florida list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,548 research-grade sightings of it in Louisiana, ranking #13 among the 154 flowers on our Louisiana list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 291 research-grade sightings of it in Mississippi, ranking #101 among the 154 flowers on our Mississippi list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,091 records)
Bloom time in the 3 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
FloridaIntroducedJanuary–April3,738
LouisianaIntroducedFebruary–April1,548
MississippiIntroducedFebruary–May291

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
Florida
Not listed Not on Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Florida. FAC 5B-40.0055
Louisiana
No list Louisiana has no state list of endangered or threatened plants separate from the federal list, so we show federal status and NatureServe's Louisiana ranks. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Louisiana.
Mississippi
No list Mississippi has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Mississippi ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Mississippi.
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Good Luck Plant” (Oxalis spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: All parts of the plant have toxic potential, although the possibility of serious effects is usually limited to ingestions of large quantities. Consuming Oxalis species can produce colic in horses… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records largeflower pink-sorrel in 9 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas.

Florida counties with USDA records: Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Citrus, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Hernando, Indian River, Jefferson, Lake, Leon, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Union, Volusia.

Louisiana counties with USDA records: Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Cameron, Claiborne, Concordia, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, Evangeline, Grant, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lafourche, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Rapides, St. Bernard, St. James, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Feliciana.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Hawaii: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced; Pacific Basin (excluding Hawaii): Introduced; Puerto Rico: Introduced; U.S. Virgin Islands: Introduced.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 76 counties across 7 states; the most are in Louisiana (32), Florida (27), Texas (10).

Other Oxalis on Bloomipedia (5): Bermuda buttercup, Violet woodsorrel, Redwood sorrel, Mountain woodsorrel, Oregon woodsorrel.

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Sources