The Endemic Plants of Chile

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Oxalis ranchillos John Watson 1
Región Valparaíso: Los Ranchillos.
Photo:  © John Watson
Oxalis ranchillos John Watson 4
Región Valparaíso: Los Ranchillos.
Photo:  © John Watson
Oxalis ranchillos John Watson 2
Región Valparaíso: Los Ranchillos.
Photo:  © John Watson
Oxalis ranchillos John Watson 3
Región Valparaíso: Los Ranchillos.
Photo:  © John Watson
Oxalis ranchillos Anita Flores 5
Región Valparaíso: Los Ranchillos.
Photo:  © Anita Flores
Oxalis ranchillos John Watson 8
Región Valparaíso: Los Ranchillos.
Photo:  © John Watson
Oxalis ranchillos Anita Flores 7
Región Valparaíso: Los Ranchillos.
Photo:  © Anita Flores
Oxalis ranchillos John Watson 6
Región Valparaíso: Los Ranchillos.
Photo:  © John Watson
  1. Classified in >
  2. genus: Oxalis >
  3. Family: Oxalidaceae
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Oxalidaceae

Oxalis ranchillos J.M. Watson & A.R. Flores

Place of Publication

Intl. Rock Gard. 138: 21, [figs. 5-12] (2021). (2021)

Type citation

CHILE. Región de Valparaiso, Provincia de Aconcagua, Los Ranchillos, 2.45 km NW of Cuesta Chacabuco (the Chacabuco Pass), 32º36'32"S 70º42'45"W, 1285 m, 17 October 2014, leg. J.M. Watson & A.R. Flores, F.& W. 12802 (holotype CONC isoptypes SGO, herb Watson & Flores).

References

  • Watson & Flores (2021)

    Watson, J.M. and Flores, A.F. 2021. Oxalis ranchillos (Oxalidaceae, Oxalis L., sect. Alpinae Reiche), a new rare local endemic species from central Chile. International Rock Gardener 138:19-44.

Regions

Valparaíso

Habitat

Mediterranean and Central plain steppe

Distribution and habitat

Only known from a very limted are around the Type location. Altitudinal range of 1050 to 1296 meters. Found within spiny mattoral vegetation, dominanted by the woody components of Leucostele chiloensis and Vachellia caven (parasitised by Tristerix verticillatus). Geophytes include: Alstroemeria angustifolia var. velutina, A. piperata, Conanthera trimaculata, Leucocoryne ixioides, Olsynium junceum, Phycella cyrtanthoides and Zephyranthes arzae. Other species can include: Calycera eryngioides, Helenium aromaticum, Heliotropium geissei, Loasa tricolor, Moscharia pinnatifida, Phacelia brachyantha, Tropaeolum azureum, T. looseri, T. tricolor and Viola chamaedrys.

Conservation status

  • Critically Endangered (Watson & Flores (2021))

Habit

Annual herb, 8-20 cm across.Flowers from October to January.

Key characteristics

Differs from all other related yellow-flowered annual species (section Alpinae) by a combination of its prostrate growth habit; deeply divided leaflets; multi-flowered inflorescences; fruiting stems always prostrate; and large flowers far exceeding the calyx. Oxalis ranchillos nearest related species is O. mira which is also annual, notably with long, leaf stalks, and multi-flowered inflorescences of equal length at the circumference. However, they differ by the sepals of O. ranchillos having hairs restricted to the margins (vs. throughout) and leaflets twice as long as broad (vs. 3-4 times).