Do you associate the clover with St. Patrick’s Day as much as I do? The luck of the Irish, the four leaf clover. Did you know that the clover produces a delicate flower, Pink Flowering Oxalis, like the one at the top of this post? I never associated flowers with clovers until I stumbled upon this sweet pink one at Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona.

I have since learned that this flower, so delicate and vibrant, is an invasive plant. From what I understand, invasive is a tame word, which makes me all the happier that I came across it at the arboretum and not in my own backyard. A delicate, unassuming flower that grows from bulbs and spreads at a wild pace and beware as it even seems to invade window boxes. And yes, there are varieties of clover that are not invasive, though I would caution against growing them in your garden in case the variety has been mislabeled.

Though the Pink Flowering Oxalis is invasive, its unique attributes make it quite delightful. At night or if it’s cloudy or rainy, the three-petaled pink flower curls up into a thin rod and the three cover leaves (four if you are lucky) fold up together to conserve moisture. It’s also known as Pink Wood Sorrel, and it can be eaten though best in small quantities or as a compliment to a meal as it contains Oxalic Acid, which in large quantities can be toxic. Its flavor, close to a lemon, can add a twist to your favorite salad or sprinkle it on top of cooked fish to give a subtle, different taste of lemon to your favorite meal.

To sum up the Pink Flowering Oxalis, would be to say it’s a lovely, demur flower to be found in the woods or best experienced in someone else’s yard; though hopefully one not too close to yours.

To experience more of the wonder and beauty of flowers, I hope you will join me on this journey of discovery and delight into the 200,000 plus flowers that petal our world.

What is the most invasive flower you have ever experienced in your garden?

Featured image at the top of the post: Pink Flowering Oxalis.

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