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Oxalis montana - Raf.

Common Name

Mountain Wood Sorrel

Family

Oxalidaceae

USDA hardiness

Coming soon

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].

Habitats

Damp woods[43].

Range

Eastern N. America - S. Newfoundland and E. Quebec to Manitoba, south to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Edibility Rating

(2 of 5)

Other Uses

(1 of 5)

Weed Potential

No

Medicinal Rating

(0 of 5)

Care (info)

Moist Soil

Semi-shade


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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Oxalis montana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[117]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet. Powerfully and most agreeably acid, the leaves can be used to make a conserve, its flavour resembling green tea[207].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained by boiling the whole plant[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have almost no information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed in most parts of the country. It is likely to prefer a semi-shaded position in a moist light well-drained soil. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Azerbaijan, China, Ciscaucasia, Eastern Siberia, Far East, Georgia, Hokkaidô, Honshu, Japan, Mongolia, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia, Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia, Russian Federation-Far East, Russian Federation-Western Siberia, Western Siberia,Turkey. TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar (north), EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom (U.K.), Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic and Slovakia), Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Oxalis acetosella	Wood Sorrel	Perennial	0.1	3-7	F	LMH	FSN	M	3	2	3
Oxalis adenophylla	Sauer Klee	Perennial	0.2	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	0
Oxalis articulata	Pink Sorrel	Perennial	0.2	7-10		LM	N	M	3	0
Oxalis barrelieri	Barrelier's woodsorrel	Perennial	0.0	0-0		LM	N	DM	2	0
Oxalis bifida		Bulb	0.3	8-11		LM	N	DM	2	0
Oxalis corniculata	Yellow Sorrel, Creeping woodsorrel	Annual/Perennial	0.1	4-8		LMH	N	DM	2	2	1
Oxalis corymbosa	Lilac Oxalis, Pink woodsorrel	Perennial	0.2	7-10		LMH	N	DM	2	0
Oxalis deppei	Iron Cross Plant	Bulb	0.3	7-10		LM	N	M	4	0
Oxalis enneaphylla	Scurvy Grass	Perennial	0.1	5-9		LM	N	DM	2	0
Oxalis europaea		Annual/Perennial	0.4	-		LM	N	DM	2	0
Oxalis exilis	Least Yellow Sorrel, Shady woodsorrel	Annual/Perennial	0.1	4-8		LMH	N	DM	2	2
Oxalis frutescens	Shrubby woodsorrel	Perennial	0.0	0-0		LM	N	DM	2	0
Oxalis grandis	Great Yellow Woodsorrel	Annual/Perennial	0.2	5-7	F	LMH	FS	M	2	1	1
Oxalis lasiandra		Perennial	0.3	8-11		LM	SN	M	0	0
Oxalis magellanica		Perennial	0.0	5-9		LM	SN	DM	2	0
Oxalis oregana	Redwood Sorrel	Perennial	0.2	6-9		LMH	FSN	M	3	1	3
Oxalis pes-caprae	Bermuda Buttercup	Perennial	0.2	8-11		LM	N	DM	2	0
Oxalis stricta	Yellow Wood Sorrel, Common yellow oxalis, Common Yellow Wood Sorrel, Oxalis	Annual	0.3	0-0	F	LM	N	DM	2	1	1
Oxalis tetraphylla		Perennial	0.1	7-10		LM	N	DM	3	0	3
Oxalis triangularis	Oxalis	Perennial	0.2	10-11	M	LM	SN	DM	3	0
Oxalis tuberosa	Oca	Perennial	0.5	6-9		LM	N	M	5	0
Oxalis violacea	Violet Wood Sorrel	Bulb	0.3	4-8		LMH	SN	DM	3	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

Raf.

Botanical References

43

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Bruce	Thu Apr 26 2007

It is vital, when discussing these plants, to state their status-for instance, Oxalis montana is threatened or endangered in several states, so it should not be harvested there, NOR should its seeds be gathered!

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