2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Oxalis (Latin Oxalis) - an incredibly effective decorative leafy and flowering plant from the Acid family. Its second well-known name is oxalis, or hare cabbage.
Description
Oxalis can be both an annual and a perennial plant, with some varieties endowed with the ability to form tubers. This plant looks like creeping squat bushes, the height of which rarely exceeds eight to ten centimeters. Each bush is densely covered with small pinnate or trifoliate leaves, the color of which can be either green or purple or burgundy. Oxalis rhizomes are usually creeping, and sometimes they can be knobby.
The flowers of oxalis are of the correct shape, and they are all formed by five petals. An interesting feature of the plant is its "exploding" tiny fruits - as soon as they ripen, they begin to "shoot" small seeds.
The genus oxalis is very rich and diverse - it includes more than four hundred species!
Where grows
Oxalis is quite widespread in Africa, Europe and South America.
Usage
In decorative floriculture and landscape design, oxalis is used very readily - it will look best under all kinds of trees and shrubs. But it is extremely undesirable to plant this plant near vegetable beds, flower beds or in rockeries - it will fill the entire space around it too quickly!
Oxalis is an edible plant, so you can always taste it if you want. By the way, it tastes sour!
Oxalis is also used in folk medicine - it is able to increase appetite, significantly improve metabolism, and also have a wound healing, hemostatic and antihelminthic effect. In addition, this plant is endowed with choleretic, as well as a pronounced diuretic effect. Oxalis also helps to eliminate vomiting and heartburn, as well as reduce blood pressure!
Growing and caring
Oxalis will grow best on acidic and fairly loose, but at the same time light soils. At the same time, the fertility of these soils does not matter at all. In addition, this plant tolerates both partial shade and full sun equally well.
Oxalis is quite unpretentious in leaving. True, when hot weather is established, it must be watered in the morning and in the evenings, and watering should be abundant enough. In general, oxalis should be watered moderately and regularly. Also, from time to time, a beautiful plant should be given high-quality fertilizing.
The main difficulty in caring for rhizomatous winter-hardy varieties of oxalis is control over their excessive growth. It is especially important to try not to plant these plants near garden beds - cracking, ripening fruits will constantly scatter the seeds they contain over very significant distances, and this will entail the need for additional control. That is why some varieties of oxalis are considered weeds.
Oxalis can be propagated both in the spring by sowing seeds and by dividing the bushes, which is carried out not only in the spring, but also with the onset of autumn. As a rule, division and transplantation of this plant is carried out only after three to four years. In addition, when planting oxalis, it is necessary to observe a distance of twenty to thirty centimeters between plants.
As for pests and all kinds of ailments, oxalis is very resistant to them, however, occasionally it can still be attacked by spider mites or aphids.
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Triangular Oxalis
Triangular oxalis is one of the plants of the family called oxalis, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Oxalis triangularis. As for the Latin name of the family itself, it will be like this: Oxalidaceae. Description triangular oxalis In order for the triangular oxalis to develop favorably, it will be necessary to provide this plant with either a solar light mode of cultivation or a partial shade mode.
Oxalis Ordinary
Common oxalis (Latin Oxalis acetosella) - a herbaceous rhizome perennial plant of the genus Kislitsa (Latin Oxalis), belonging to the family of the same name Kislichnye (Latin Oxalidaceae). On any continent, where there are shady and humid forests, there is certainly an ordinary Kislitsa, which covers the earth with a continuous carpet of leaves.
Oxalis Erect
Erect oxalis (Latin Oxalis stricta) - a herbaceous rhizome plant of the genus Kislitsa (Latin Oxalis), reckoned to the family of the same name Kislichnye (Latin Oxalidaceae). The plant has underground stolon stems and an overground erect, branched stem covered with complex leaves.
Four-leaf Oxalis
Four-leafed oxalis (Latin Oxalis tetraphylla) - herbaceous bulbous perennial plant of the genus Kislitsa (Latin Oxalis), ranked by botanists as belonging to the family of the same name Kislichnye (Latin Oxalidaceae). Due to its beautiful decorative two-colored leaves and abundant bright flowering, it is widely used in horticultural floriculture, and also grown as a houseplant.
Oxalis Or Butterfly
Sour is also popularly called the flower of happiness and the butterfly. Under natural conditions, such a plant develops well in a shaded wooded area. The appearance of the sorrel is very cute and delicate. At home, the plant looks very impressive and attractive. In addition, flower growers are pleased that oxalis does not require special difficult care
