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Clematis flower, Johnston County, NC
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Tropaeolum majus Tropaeolum majus

Oxalis

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
oks-AL-iss
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Annual or perennial herbs; leaves clover-like, long-stalked with 3 leaflets; flowers 5-parted, white, yellow, lavender, or rose, close at night; fruit a capsule

Grows best in full sun to 25% shade.  When planting, bury rhizomes or stolons 2 in. (5 cm) deep.  Best propagated by rhizomes and stolons or by seed.  O. deppei, O. lasiandra, and O. regnelli species are considered tender species.

Native to Europe, Asia-Tropical, Africa, Falkland Island, Pacific, Southern America, Australasia, Northern America, and Asia-Temperate.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
O. articulata, O. bifida, O. corniculata L., O. deppei , O. deppei 'Iron Cross' , O. grandis, O. lasiandra , O. montana, O. regnelli 'Triangularis' , O. stricta L., O. violacea
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#lavender#edible plant#white flowers#edible weed#edible flowers#shade garden#fall interest#ncemgva2018#summer flowers#edible roots#edible seeds#edible garden#edible leaves#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#lawn planting#perennial#annual#weed#wildflower
 
Flowers and Leaves
Oxalis montana pellaea CC BY 2.0
Oxalis violaccea
Oxalis violaccea 8Ilona Loser CC BY-SA 3.0
Flowers
Oxalis articulata ssp. rubra Kurt Stuber CC BY-SA 3.0
Oxalis bifida
Oxalis bifida Andrew Massyn CC BY-SA 3.0
Oxalis stricta
Oxalis stricta I, SB Johnny CC BY-SA 3.0
Entire plant with roots and rhizomes exposed
Oxalis fontana, rhizomes Rasbak CC BY-SA 3.0
Oxalis
Flower and Leaves Close-up (Wake County, NC) Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0
Oxalis
Flower, Leaves and Bud (Warren County, NC) Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0
Oxalis
Flower and Leaves (Warren County, NC)-Summer Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0
Form
Form Cabarrusco Hope Duckworth CC BY 4.0
Form - wild
Form - wild Cabarrusco Hope Duckworth CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
O. articulata, O. bifida, O. corniculata L., O. deppei , O. deppei 'Iron Cross' , O. grandis, O. lasiandra , O. montana, O. regnelli 'Triangularis' , O. stricta L., O. violacea
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#lavender#edible plant#white flowers#edible weed#edible flowers#shade garden#fall interest#ncemgva2018#summer flowers#edible roots#edible seeds#edible garden#edible leaves#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#lawn planting#perennial#annual#weed#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Oxalis
    Family:
    Oxalidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Americas and South Africa
    Bulb Storage:
    Store rhizomes or bulbs in peat or vermiculite at 35-41 degrees F (2-5C)
    Edibility:
    EDIBLE PARTS: Small amounts of leaves, flowers, seeds, tubers/roots eaten raw are not dangerous. They have a lemon-like sour flavor.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Bulb
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    A capsule that bursts open when ripe, scattering the seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Saucer
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The 5-parted flowers come in a variety of colors and close at night.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The bright green leaves are long-stalked with 3 clover-like leaflets, obovate with a notch at the top. Some cultivars have a purple color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. Large quantities may cause trembling, cramps, and staggering in grazing animals, but there are no documented cases in humans. All parts of the plant have toxic potential, although the possibility of serious effects is usually limited to ingestions of large quantities. Consuming Oxalis species can produce colic in horses, and kidney failure is possible if significant amounts are eaten.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Soluble calcium oxylates
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems