Oxalis adenophylla
Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.
Oxalidaceae
Acetosella adenophylla (Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.) Kuntze
Acetosella bustillosii (Phil.) Kuntze
Oxalis bustillosii Phil.
Common Name: Sauer Klee
General Information
Oxalis adenophylla is a perennial plant that can grow up to15cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental.
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- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
Southern S. America - central and southern Chile to western and southern Argentina.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Perennial |
| Height | 0.15 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
Leaves - raw[. An acid flavourK].
In Chile, especially on hot summer days, it is a common practice in the countryside to chew the stems and leaves and suck the juice from various species of Oxalis plants since the taste is acidic and refreshing[
1185- Title
- Los nombres vulgares de las Plants Silvestres de Chile i su concordancia con los nombres cientificos
- Publication
- Annales de la Universidad Tomo 147, Ano 78
- Author
- Victor Manuel Baeza
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of Chilean common names, listing the botanical name, a brief description and, often, a list of uses.
].
Flowers - raw. An acid flavour[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The acidic juice in the leaves and stems of various species of Oxalis is used to remove fruit stains from hands, mouth and clothes[
1185- Title
- Los nombres vulgares de las Plants Silvestres de Chile i su concordancia con los nombres cientificos
- Publication
- Annales de la Universidad Tomo 147, Ano 78
- Author
- Victor Manuel Baeza
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1920
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of Chilean common names, listing the botanical name, a brief description and, often, a list of uses.
]. (This report is particularly referring to stains caused by the maqui fruit (Aristotelia chilensis).
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
