Oxalis bifida
Thunb.
Oxalidaceae
Acetosella bifida (Thunb.) Kuntze
Oxalis filicaulis Jacq.
Common Name:
General Information
Oxalis bifida is a hardy bulb growing up to 30cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
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 Africa - southwest Cape Province.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
Edibility Rating | |
Habit | Bulb |
Height | 0.30 m |
Pollinators | Insects |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
This species is not very cold hardy in Britain, though it might succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country.
Easily grown in a sandy soil in a warm dry position.
Edible Uses
Leaves - raw or cooked. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet.
Bulb - raw[
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
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.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.