Purple Wood Sorrel (Note: Not a true grass, but a common broadleaf weed often found in turf settings)
Oxalis debilis (or Oxalis corniculata) · Broadleaf perennial weed (not a grass)
Grass Family
Oxalidaceae
Grass Category
Lawn Weed / Invasive / Garden Weed
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type with dark purple-green leaves
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-11
About This Grass
Features distinctive heart-shaped, clover-like leaflets arranged in groups of three, often with a deep purple or bronze-green coloration. Produces small yellow or pinkish-purple flowers and exploding seed capsules.
Blade Characteristics
Not a grass; has tripartite compound leaves consisting of three heart-shaped leaflets instead of true grass blades.
Root System
Shallow fibrous roots often accompanied by underground bulbs or fleshy rhizomes, making complete removal difficult.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Cosmopolitan distribution; native to tropical and subtropical regions
Growth Habit
Low-growing, spreading via rhizomes, bulbs, and seeds
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; adapts well to both moist and relatively dry, poor soils.
Mowing & Maintenance
Resilient to low mowing due to its prostrate growth habit; requires selective broadleaf herbicides or hand-pulling for removal.
Special Characteristics
High tolerance to low mowing, acidic soils, and various environmental stressors; prolific seed producer.
Ecological Information
Common weed in lawns and landscapes; provides minimal forage value but can serve as a nectar source for small pollinators.