Common Name: Scurvy Grass

General Information

Oxalis enneaphylla is a perennial plant that can grow up to 7cm 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[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern S. America - southern Chile, southern Argentina and the Falkland Islands

Habitat

Coastal sands, open grassland, open scrub, screes and rock crevices[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.07 m
Pollinators	Lepidoptera
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a well-drained humus rich sandy soil in a warm dry sunny position[, ]. Requires a sheltered position[].
A very ornamental plant, it does well in the rock garden[]. The flowers have a delicious almond-like perfume[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet.
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[].
Flowers - raw or cooked[].

Root[]. No further details are given.

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[]. (This report is particularly referring to stains caused by the maqui fruit (Aristotelia chilensis).

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.