Also known as Lucky Clover, Four-Leaved Wood-Sorrel, Iron Cross Plant, Good Luck Plant
Fourleaf pink-sorrel is a bulbous perennial herb native to Mexico, celebrated for its foliage of four inversely heart-shaped leaflets marked with deep maroon centers. The plant displays dramatic nyctinastic movements, folding its umbrella-like leaves downward at dusk and unfurling them in bright morning light. During the warmer months, slender flower stalks rise above the leaves bearing loose clusters of funnel-shaped blossoms in vivid shades of pink to reddish-purple.
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
Slugs
Snails
Aphids
ThreatsHabitat loss from urban expansion and over-collection in localized native stands
HabitatsPine-oak forests, grassy slopes, disturbed meadows, and cultivated gardens
Life span5–10 years (perennial via underground bulbs)
Classification
OrderOxalidales
FamilyOxalidaceae
GenusOxalis
SpeciesOxalis tetraphylla
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
Low
Moderate
High
Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains soluble calcium oxalates toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; safe to observe.
Why it is dangerous
Plant tissues contain soluble calcium oxalates, which bind systemic calcium and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, tremors, and kidney failure in domestic animals.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for distinct four-parted compound leaves bearing dark reddish-purple chevrons at their centers, growing from slender pale stems.
What to do
Place ornamental pots out of reach of cats and dogs, and refrain from ingesting any part of the wild or cultivated foliage.
Responsible observation
Light Watching: Watch the leaflets fold downward tightly like miniature closed umbrellas on overcast days and at twilight.
Pet Safety: Keep potted specimens elevated away from browsing pets to prevent ingestion of oxalate-rich foliage.
