Oxalis magellanica
| Oxalis magellanica | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 0.1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Oxalis magellanica
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and 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.
Cultivation: Easily grown in a sandy soil in a warm dry position in sun or light shade[1][2]. Succeeds in the well-drained interstices of paving stones[2].
Plants can become a pest in the garden[2].
Range: Southern S. America - Falklands to Bolivia.
Habitat: Walls and stony places[1].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[3][4]. A pleasant acid flavour, but the leaves are rather small and they are also a bit chewy[K]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet,
Flowers - raw[K]. A pleasant and decorative addition to the salad bowl[K].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
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. Th
Also Known As: O. lactea.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.