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Oxalis oregana - Nutt.

Common Name Redwood Sorrel
Family Oxalidaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
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 Redwood forests[187]. Moist woods[60].
Range Western N. America - Washington to California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Oxalis oregana Redwood Sorrel


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Folini
Oxalis oregana Redwood Sorrel
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Folini

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Oxalis oregana is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July. 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: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[118, 183, 257]. A acid, flavour, it is especially adored by children and makes an excellent addition to mixed salads[K]. The leaves can be harvested all year round[K]. A mass of the leaves and stems can be allowed to ferment slightly when they make a tasty dessert[183]. A sort of rhubarb pie can be made from the leaf stalks[183]. The leaf stalks are very thin - you would need an awful lot for a pie[K]. Use in moderation, see notes above on toxicity. Flowers - raw[K]. A pleasant acid flavour[K].

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.
Antirheumatic  Ophthalmic  Poultice

A decoction of the whole plant has been used as a wash in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The fresh juice of the plant has been used as eye drops to ease sore eyes[257]. A poultice of the wilted leaves has been used as a dressing on boils, sores and on swollen areas of the skin[257].

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant for a woodland garden[197, 208], though it can be invasive[60]. It needs weeding for the first year or so[197].

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a moisture-retentive humus-rich soil in shade or dappled sunlight[200]. Succeeds in dense shade[187]. Grows well in a wild or woodland garden[200]. Plants can be very invasive when in suitable conditions[60]. Plant is growing very vigorously in quite dense shade under an Elaeagnus shrub in Cornwall - it stays green all year round and is fairly productive[K].

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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

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 NameCommon NameEdibility RatingMedicinal Rating
Oxalis acetosellaWood Sorrel32
Oxalis adenophyllaSauer Klee00
Oxalis articulataPink Sorrel30
Oxalis barrelieriBarrelier's woodsorrel20
Oxalis bifida 20
Oxalis corniculataYellow Sorrel, Creeping woodsorrel22
Oxalis corymbosaLilac Oxalis, Pink woodsorrel20
Oxalis deppeiIron Cross Plant40
Oxalis enneaphyllaScurvy Grass20
Oxalis europaea 20
Oxalis exilisLeast Yellow Sorrel, Shady woodsorrel22
Oxalis frutescensShrubby woodsorrel20
Oxalis lasiandra 00
Oxalis magellanica 20
Oxalis montanaMountain Wood Sorrel20
Oxalis pes-capraeBermuda Buttercup20
Oxalis strictaYellow Wood Sorrel, Common yellow oxalis, Common Yellow Wood Sorrel, Oxalis21
Oxalis tetraphylla 30
Oxalis triangularisOxalis30
Oxalis tuberosaOca50
Oxalis violaceaViolet Wood Sorrel31

 

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Expert comment

Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

60200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Mona George-Dill   Sun Jan 28 2007

I wish you had a description of the plant. I have in hnd a leaf with stalk, the leaf is plin green at the top, purple at the bottom and the stalk is read. I am not sure what will be the colour of the flowers when the plant does flower, but those that I have so far seen on this island, Dominica, carry a lilac flower. Are we dealing with the same plant?

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