Oxalis articulata
Savigny
Oxalidaceae
Acetosella articulate (Savigny) Kuntze
Acetosella platensis (A.St.-Hil. & Naudin) Kuntze
Oxalis crassipes Urb.
Oxalis dumicola Arechav.
Oxalis floribunda alba hort. ex Vilm.
Oxalis guttata Osten ex Arechav.
Oxalis halophila Arechav.
Oxalis platensis A.St.-Hil. & Naudin
Oxalis rivalis Arechav.
Oxalis rubra A.St.-Hil.
Common Name: Pink Sorrel
Flowering plant at Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
Photograph by: Okki
GNU Free Documentation License
General Information
Oxalis articulata is a perennial plant growing up to 40cm tall with a rhizomatous stem that can be 15cm long.
The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible leaves and flowers, which are consumed locally. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Known Hazards
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[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
Southern S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.20 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
An easily grown plant, preferring a sandy soil in a warm dry position[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
27- Title
- The Vegetable Garden.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Vilmorin. A.
- Publisher
- Ten Speed Press
- Year
-
- ISBN
- 0-89815-041-8
- Description
- A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.
,
37- Title
- The Gardener's Assistant.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thompson. B.
- Publisher
- Blackie and Son.
- Year
- 1878
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.
]. It dislikes dry or heavy soils[
37- Title
- The Gardener's Assistant.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thompson. B.
- Publisher
- Blackie and Son.
- Year
- 1878
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.
]. Dislikes lime[
37- Title
- The Gardener's Assistant.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thompson. B.
- Publisher
- Blackie and Son.
- Year
- 1878
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.
]. Prefers a southerly aspect[
37- Title
- The Gardener's Assistant.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thompson. B.
- Publisher
- Blackie and Son.
- Year
- 1878
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.
].
This plant can become a weed in areas suitable for its growth[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
369- Title
- Flora of Costa Rica
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.archive.org/
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1938
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet.
].
Edible Uses
Leaves and flowers - raw or cooked. A pleasant lemony flavour, they make a nice flavouring in salads[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. The leaves are available from June to October and the flowers from July to October, or even later in mild autumns[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet.
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as ripe. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out when large enough.
Division, preferably when the plant is doemant. Very easy, 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.
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
