Common Name: Violet Wood Sorrel

General Information

Oxalis violacea is a bulbous plant growing up to 25cm tall
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

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

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Range

Central, eastern and southern N. America - North Daota to Vermont and Massachusetts, south to northern Mexico, Texas and Florida

Habitat

Woods, shaded slopes, gravelly banks and prairies[]. Dry sandy or clay soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Bulb
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a moisture-retentive humus-rich soil in shade or dappled sunlight[]. Succeeds in dry soils[].
Grows well in a wild or woodland garden[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , ]. The acid salty-flavoured leaves are eaten raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked as a potherb[].Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet.

Flowers - raw[, ]. An attractive and tasty garnish for salads[].

Root - raw or cooked[, , , ].

A lemon-flavoured drink is made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

The plant is anthelmintic, antiemetic, blood purifier, cancer and salve[]. A cold infusion is used to stop a person vomiting[]. An infusion can be used as a blood purifier, it is said to be a treatment in the early stages of cancer[].
An infusion of the plant is drunk and also used as a wash in treating children with hookworm[].
An infusion of the leaves, mixed with oil, can be used as a salve on sores[].

Other Uses

None known

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.