Oxalis
Oxalis triangularis
Family: Oxalidaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Lavender. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.
Oxalis triangularis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from June to October, in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.2
Where it is found
Amongst rocks by streams at elevations of about 600 metres around Rio de Janeiro.
S. America - Brazil.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant acid flavour. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet, Flowers - raw. A pleasant and decorative addition to the salad bowl. Most children really adore eating the flowers raw. Root - raw or cooked. The root is up to 5cm long and 15mm wide, it is crisp and juicy with a pleasant sweet mild flavour.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Container, Ground cover, Rock garden, Specimen. Easily grown in a sandy soil in a warm dry position in sun or light shade. Grows well in a dry shady corner. Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c. Given a suitable position, it should succeed outdoors at least in the mildest parts of the country. It should be possible to grow it even in the colder areas by digging up the bulbs in the autumn after the top growth has been cut down by frosts, storing them in a cool but frost-free place and replanting them in mid to late spring. There are two main forms of this plant, ssp triangularis has smaller, green leaves and is, in our experience, slightly the hardier of the two. Ssp papilionacea has larger, dark purple leaves and is considered the more ornamental. Special Features:Attractive foliage.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed from one subspecies does not always come true - on at least one occasion we have hade the purple-leaved form grow from seed of the green leaved form that had definitely not been cross-pollinated. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 10-11
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
The leaves contain oxalic acid, which gives them their sharp flavour. Perfectly all right in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since oxalic acid can bind up the body's supply of calcium leading to nutritional deficiency. The quantity of oxalic acid will be reduced if the leaves are cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.