wildflower i.d.

[caernerch]

this summer a wildflower appeared on the communal lawn by my house, i'm arthritic so i couldn't get a really close look. month may/jun 15cm small clump trifoliate dark red/purple leaves like a clover but folded back on themselves with bright flat petalled sulphur yellow flowers petals in a single layer 1,5 - 2 cm each. any help with an i.d would be appreciated
regards
caernerch

[davidbr]

Difficult to be sure without a photo, but I'd say it's likely to be Procumbent Yellow-sorrel (Oxalis corniculata); it's a North American plant, but a common introduced weed these days in gardens, lawns and the like.

Have a look at a picture on Google Image and see if it matches

[aeshna5]

I'm fairly confident David is spot on with this ID. It is a very common plant down here + though quite attractive can be quite an invasive weed in the garden, as can several members of this genus.

[caernerch]

spot on guys. took me a while to find an image with the red leaves, but i did eventually. everything fits. some say its a weed but as far as i'm comcerned if its not harming any other species its a welcome visitor. unfortunately we've now got gardeners who think privet and hawthorn hedges should be 3' high and 1' thick and grass should be cut to 1/2"
thanks for your help
regards
caernerch

[JennyS]

Is it this one - Irish Wildflowers - Purple-leaved Yellow-sorrel

[caernerch]

yep. unless I've got one of those sub-species where you've got to count the number of noctilucent spots per sq.cm that's it.
thanks
caernerch