Botanical name:  Oxalis triangularis

Common name:  False Shamrock, Purple Shamrock and Love Plant. 

 

Habit:  Three purple heart shaped leaves, each have three sides, that are symmetrically to one another at the end of every petiole (stem). Other species are similar in shape, except they tend to have green leaves. The plant is compact if kept in a pot that makes it an ideal house or office plant. It white flowers emerge above the darker colored purple foliage creating a strong contrast. 

 

Culture:  Easy to grow perennial in most soils but enjoys organic conditions.

 

Problem:  Leaves are poisonous to pets, although because of bitter taste a little nibble of this plant and most pets wont be back for seconds.

 

Notes:  The plant is also a little bit magic, because it can revive itself from the dead from its tiny bulbs! Forget to water, temperature drops too low or its living conditions are generally poor, everything above the surface will wilt and die back  but as soon as good conditions are restored the plant comes back to life incredibly quickly.