Oxalis violacea
Violet Wood Sorrel
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Oxalidaceae
- Genus
- Oxalis
- Height
- 0.25 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.
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
Leaves - raw or cooked[5][1][2][3]. The acid salty leaves are eaten raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked as a potherb[4].Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet. Flowers - raw[1][3]. An attractive and tasty garnish for salads[4]. Root - raw or cooked[1][3][4][8]. A lemon-flavoured drink is made from the leaves[2].
- Product or use
- Drink
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Root
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.
The plant is anthelmintic, antiemetic, blood purifier, cancer and salve[8]. A cold infusion is used to stop a person vomiting[8]. An infusion can be used as a blood purifier, it is said to be a treatment in the early stages of cancer[8]. An infusion of the plant is drunk and also used as a wash in treating children with hookworm[8]. An infusion of the leaves, mixed with oil, can be used as a salve on sores[8].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Antiemetic
- Product or use
- Blood purifier
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Salve
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - New York to Wisconsin, south to Florida.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is 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
Easily grown in a moisture-retentive humus-rich soil in shade or dappled sunlight[6]. Succeeds in dry soils[2]. Grows well in a wild or woodland garden[6].
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4
Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00