The plant is Oxalis. It thrives and thrives in sun and likes water.
Its reddish trefoil leaf opens in the day time and closes at night.
Periodically, tiny lavender flowers appear. It is a winner.
It is easily propagated by placing cut stems in water when roots will eventually appear.
It is noted that Oxalis appears in Michelangelo's Doni Tondo painting of the Holy Family with St. John the Baptist. The plant is to be seen at the bottom right center of the painting.
An Italian Masterwork, oil on panel, dated 1504-1505c.
Can be viewed at the Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Back in June 2009, blogger Jacqui commented that it was a trefoil plant, perhaps signaling the Trinity. Blogger SouthLakesMom confirmed this theory, indicating that symbology in Renaissance artwork was for the benefit of a preliterate society, a way to communicate the truths of the day! Thank you both for your responses to the question about why Michelangelo put the plant in the painting.
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