Oxalis violacea

Oxalis violacea, the violet wood-sorrel, is a perennial plant and herb in the family Oxalidaceae.[1] It is native to the eastern and central United States.

Oxalis violacea

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis
Species:
O. violacea
Binomial name
Oxalis violacea
Synonyms
  • Ionoxalis violacea (L.) Small
  • Oxalis violacea L. var. trichophora Fassett
  • Sassia violacea (L.) Holub

Description

Oxalis violacea emerges in early spring from an underground bulb and produces leaf stems 7–13 cm (2+3⁄4–5 in) tall and flower umbels, or clusters, with up to 19 flowers on stems 9–23 cm (3+1⁄2–9 in) tall.[2] The three-part leaves have heart-shaped leaflets. The plant is similar in appearance to small clovers such as the shamrock.

The plant bears lavender to white flowers 1–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in) wide with white to pale green centers above the foliage, during April or May, rarely to July, and, with rain, sometimes produces additional flowers without leaves from August to October.[2]

Etymology

The genus name, Oxalis, is from the Greek word oxys, which means "sharp" and refers to the sharp or sour taste from the oxalic acid present in the plant.[3][4] The specific epithet, violacea, is Latin for violet-colored.[5]

Distribution and habitat

It is native plant in much of the United States, from the Rocky Mountains east to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coasts, and through Eastern Canada. It has a tendency to cluster in open places in damp woods and on stream banks, and in moist prairies.[1]

Conservation

The plant's conservation status is globally secure;[6] however, it is listed as endangered in Massachusetts[7] and Rhode Island,[8] threatened in New York,[9] and a species of special concern in Connecticut.[10] It is presumed extirpated in Michigan.[11]

Uses

Medicinal

Oxalis violacea was used as a medicinal plant by Native Americans, including the Cherokee and Pawnee peoples.[12]

Culinary

All parts of the plant are edible – flowers, leaves, stems, and bulb. Oxalis is from the Greek word meaning sour, and this plant has a sour juice. It is used in salads. Moderate use of plant is advisable, as it should not be eaten in large quantities due to a high concentration of oxalic acid, ("salt of lemons") which can be poisonous.[13]

It was a traditional food source of the Native American Apache, Cherokee, Omaha, Pawnee, and Ponca peoples.[12]

Cultivation

Oxalis violacea is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use as a flowering groundcover or perennial plant in traditional and native plant gardens, and for natural landscaping projects.[14] It spreads rapidly by runners and bulbs.[15] In gardens the plant prefers partial shade and moisture.[15]

References
  1. "Oxalis violacea". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  2. Nesom, Guy L. (2016). "Oxalis violacea". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 12. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  3. "oxalis - WordReference.com Dictionary of English". www.wordreference.com.
  4. Denison, Edgar (2017). Missouri Wildflowers (Sixth ed.). Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-887247-59-7.
  5. "Latin Definition for: violaceus, violacea, violaceum (ID: 38867) - Latin Dictionary and Grammar Resources - Latdict". latin-dictionary.net.
  6. "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org.
  7. "List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species | Mass.gov". www.mass.gov.
  8. "Oxalis violacea (violet wood sorrel): Go Botany". gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org.
  9. "Violet Wood Sorrel Guide - New York Natural Heritage Program". guides.nynhp.org.
  10. "Oxalis violacea". www.ct-botanical-society.org.
  11. "Oxalis violacea (Violet wood sorrel) - Michigan Natural Features Inventory". mnfi.anr.msu.edu.
  12. "BRIT - Native American Ethnobotany Database". naeb.brit.org.
  13. Berglund, Berndt; Bolsby, Clare E. (1971). The Edible Wild: A complete cookbook and guide to edible wild plants in Canada and North America. Burns & MacEachern Limited—Pagurian Press Limited.
  14. "Oxalis violacea". Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden, Kemper Center for Home Gardening.
  15. "Oxalis violacea". Native Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin.
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