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Useful Tropical Plants

Oxalis frutescens

L.

Oxalidaceae

+ Synonyms

Acetosella angustifolia (Kunth) Kuntze

Acetosella bahiensis (Progel) Kuntze

Acetosella berlandieri (Torr.) Kuntze

Acetosella borjensis (Kunth) Kuntze

Acetosella diffusa Kuntze

Acetosella distans (A.St.-Hil.) Kuntze

Acetosella fasciculata (Turcz.) Kuntze

Acetosella frutescens (L.) Kuntze

Acetosella neaei (DC.) Kuntze

Acetosella pentantha (Jacq.) Kuntze

Acetosella pilosissima (Turcz.) Kuntze

Acetosella psilotricha (Turcz.) Kuntze

Acetosella schomburgkiana (Progel) Kuntze

Acetosella tephrodes (Turcz.) Kuntze

Lotoxalis angustifolia (Kunth) Rose

Lotoxalis berlandieri Small

Lotoxalis fasciculata Rose

Lotoxalis frutescens (L.) Small

Lotoxalis glabrata (Baker) Rose

Lotoxalis neaei (DC.) Rose

Lotoxalis pentantha (Jacq.) Rose

Lotoxalis psilotricha Rose

Lotoxalis tephrodes Rose

Lotoxalis yucatanensis Rose

Oxalis angustifolia Kunth

Oxalis avilensis Pittier

Oxalis bahiensis Progel

Oxalis berlandieri Torr.

Oxalis borjensis Kunth

Oxalis camporum Brandegee

Oxalis chacoensis R.Knuth

Oxalis charaguensis R.Knuth

Oxalis coarctata R.Knuth

Oxalis coccinea Woodson & Schery

Oxalis cruzeirensis R.Knuth

Oxalis descolei R.Knuth

Oxalis distans A.St.-Hil.

Oxalis fasciculata Turcz.

Oxalis glabrata (Baker) R.Knuth

Oxalis glaucifolia R.Knuth

Oxalis guatemalensis R.Knuth

Oxalis harmsiana R.Knuth

Oxalis herzogii R.Knuth

Oxalis hispida Zucc.

Oxalis jahnii Pittier

Oxalis mairaryensis R.Knuth

Oxalis neaei DC.

Oxalis nodulosa Pittier

Oxalis pentantha Jacq.

Oxalis pilosissima Turcz.

Oxalis plumieri Jacq.

Oxalis psilotricha Turcz.

Oxalis schomburgkiana Progel

Oxalis stenomeres S.F.Blake

Oxalis sublignosa R.Knuth

Oxalis tephrodes Turcz.

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Oxalis frutescens is a perennial plant that can be herbaceous, though the stems often become more or less woody and persist; it can grow up to 100cm tall[
1171
Title
Flora del Bajío y de Regiones Adyacentes
Publication
 
Author
Jerzy Rzedowski & Graciela Calderón de Rzedowski (Editors)
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
Instituto de Ecología A.C. Centro Regional del Bajío; Mexico
Year
0
ISBN
0188-5170
Description
Spanish-language flora of northwestern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet
]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

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

1171
Title
Flora del Bajío y de Regiones Adyacentes
Publication
 
Author
Jerzy Rzedowski & Graciela Calderón de Rzedowski (Editors)
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
Instituto de Ecología A.C. Centro Regional del Bajío; Mexico
Year
0
ISBN
0188-5170
Description
Spanish-language flora of northwestern Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet

Range

S. America - northern Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; through Mesoamerica to northern Mexico; Caribbean

Habitat

Thin soils along river banks, in the understorey of tropical deciduous trees; at elevations around 650 metres in Mexico[
605
Title
Flore de L'Ile de la Reunion
Publication
 
Author
E. Jacob De Cordemoy
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Librairie Medicale & Scientifique; Paris.
Year
1895
ISBN
 
Description
Not really a flora, more a list of the plants known at that time. It often includes a brief description of habit and habitat, plus the local uses of the plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. Dry scrub[
787
Title
Flora of Dominica, Part 2: Dicotyledoneae
Publication
Smithsonian Contributions to Botany No. 77
Author
Nicolson D.H.; et al
Website
http://www.sil.si.edu/smithsoniancontributions/Botany/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute Press; Washington
Year
1991
ISBN
90-10415
Description
A terse but very useful flora with a somewhat limited botanical description plus range, habitat and some uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
HabitShrub
Height0.75 m

Cultivation Details


Easily grown in 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]).
].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. An acid flavour[
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet,

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-08. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Oxalis+frutescens>

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