Oxalis (Oxalidaceae)

The Oxalis is of the woodsorrel family. There are many, many varieties of the Oxalis. I have only two. Both plants produce pink flowers but the leaves of one are green; the other has wine colored leaves. Because the leaves are clover-shaped, they are sometimes referred to as 'false shamrock.'

Oxalis propagates by tuber, much like the iris, only smaller. The tuber looks like a small potato and has been used for many medicinal purposes over the centuries. Since the tubers are loaded with Vitamin C, it is said that the sailors of old used the tubers to prevent scurvy. They are supposedly good for mouth sores and sore throats. The women of old used the tubers as a dessert - they cooked them with sugar and fed them to their families. Keep in mind that I've never used it for any of these purposes and don't intend to; therefore, this is NOT recommendations - only statements!

The green-leafed oxalis that I have starts showing her leaves in October or November. Once the leaves are well-established, they produce pretty, small pink flowers all winter long. This flowering continues until the mid-summer of the following year. Once the temperatures get hot, the plant goes dormant - but is back in the fall bigger and brighter than the previous season. She seems to perform just as well in full sun or full shade. She is not particular about the soil she's in nor the conditions under which she grows. She is 100% reliable and requires absolutely no special treatment.

The other Oxalis that I have is Oxalis regnellii atropurpurea, commonly called Wine Oxalis simply because her leaves are wine colored. She is just the opposite of the green-leafed. She is dormant in the winter and starts emerging in early spring and puts on her show from spring until frost. The hot summers here in SW Georgia don't affect her at all.

 

But she is a little more particular than the green leafed oxalis. While she does OK in the sun, she flourishes in the shade. I use her as a specimen plant in and around my ferns, heuchera and hellebore. The burgandy leaves along with the pink flowering brightens up any shady area you place her. She's not fussy about the soil - just the light. Each of them will 'tell' you when they want water. The leaves and blooms will lie down on the ground - much like the peace plant. Soon after you give them some water, the tubers absorb it and send it to the plant and it immediately stands up again.

Both stand about 12" tall and their growth habit is mounded and neat. She makes a wonderful border or specimen plant.

Try them - you'll like them!