Practical
Plants

Oxalis oregana

Redwood Sorrel

a perennial member of the Oxalis genus in the family Oxalidaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Oxalis
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[7].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[1][2][8]. A mass of the leaves and stems can be allowed to ferment slightly when they make a tasty dessert[2]. A sort of rhubarb pie can be made from the leaf stalks[2]. Use in moderation, see notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A decoction of the whole plant has been used as a wash in the treatment of rheumatism[8]. The fresh juice of the plant has been used as eye drops to ease sore eyes[8]. A poultice of the wilted leaves has been used as a dressing on boils, sores and on swollen areas of the skin[8].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good ground cover plant for a woodland garden[4][6], though it can be invasive[9]. It needs weeding for the first year or so[4].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Washington to California.
Habitat
Redwood forests[3]. Moist woods[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a moisture-retentive humus-rich soil in shade or dappled sunlight[5]. Succeeds in dense shade[3]. Grows well in a wild or woodland garden[5]. Plants can be very invasive when in suitable conditions[9].

References

  1. Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-295-95258-X

    ↩

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  8. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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