Oxalis violacea

Oxalis violacea, the violet wood-sorrel, is a perennial plant and herb in the family Oxalidaceae. It is native to the eastern and central United States.

Description

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It is an erect, delicate plant. It grows 40 cm tall. The leaves grow from the base and have long stems. The leaves are divided into 3 leaflets. They are grey-green or bluish-grey above and a reddish-purple underneath. The leaves fold downwards and together at night and on cloudy days. There are 4-19 flowers at the end of each stem. They are pinkish-purple. The eye of the flower is usually a darker purple. The lobes of the petals spread out wide. They are 12-20 mm long. There are 5 petals and 10 stamens.

Edible Uses

The leaves have an acid, salty flavour and can be eaten raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked as a potherb. Use in moderation. The flowers are edible raw and make an attractive and tasty garnish for salads. The root can be eaten raw or cooked. A lemon-flavoured drink can also be made from the leaves.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are sour and can be added to salads. The leaves can be soaked in hot water for 10 minutes to make a drink. The flowers, stalks and roots are also eaten. The bulbs are eaten raw or boiled. CAUTION: Because the plant contains oxalates, eating it over extended periods can reduce the bodies ability to absorb calcium.

Medicinal Uses

The plant is used as an anthelmintic, antiemetic, blood purifier, and as a cancer salve. A cold infusion is used to stop vomiting. An infusion taken internally is considered a blood purifier and is said to be a treatment in the early stages of cancer. An infusion of the plant is both drunk and used as a wash to treat children with hookworm. An infusion of the leaves mixed with oil can be applied as a salve on sores.

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.

Distribution

It is a cool temperate plant. It grows in open forests and along banks. It is often on sandy soils. It suits hardiness zone 3.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Dominican Republic, India, North America, Slovenia, Taiwan, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

Easily grown in a moisture-retentive humus-rich soil in shade or dappled sunlight. Succeeds in dry soils. Grows well in a wild or woodland garden.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in late spring or early summer. For division in spring, larger divisions can go directly into their permanent positions. Smaller divisions are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until well established before planting out in late spring or early summer.

Other Uses

None known

Notes

There are about 500 Oxalis species. The leaves are rich in Vitamin C.

Also Known As

Deteljica

References (12)

• Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 165
• Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 457
• http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
• Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 599

More from Oxalidaceae

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Fleshy yellow wood sorrel

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Mountain Wood Sorrel

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Oxalis obtusa

Oxalis oregana

Redwood sorrel, Oregon oxalis