Oxalis or Oxalis is a very common plant, both in the wild and in indoor floriculture. Kislitsa's homeland is somewhere in Brazil or Mexico, but it can be found in South and Central America, South Africa and Europe. Indoor specimens are welcome guests on window sills from the North of Europe and Russia to the South of the American and African continents. There are more than 800 varieties of plants in the world, including garden and indoor specimens. We will introduce you to those that are grown at home.
A little about the names of the flowers
Oxalis greens have a pleasant sour taste due to the presence of oxalic acid and vitamin C in large quantities in the tissues of the plant. This feature at one time determined the name of the entire genus. By the way, another scientific name, Oxalis, also means “sour.” People call it differently:
- The flower is “Butterfly” - for the similarity of its leaves to this winged beauty.
- Flower "Good morning". Oxalis received this name for its ability to open its leaves in the morning towards the day. In the evening, she, accordingly, folds her leaves. However, the flower folds its leaves both in cloudy weather, before rain, and in extreme heat in the sun.
- Oxalis "Triangular". So it is called for the triangular shape of the leaves.
- "Lucky Clover" Four-leaf varieties of Oxalis resemble clover.
- "Hare cabbage." This name is due to the fact that the plant is quite edible and has a slightly sour green taste.
- "Family happiness". Oxalis cleanses the indoor air of harmful substances and improves the health of people living in the apartment. A pot with a flower is often placed in the room where the patient lives, so that he recovers quickly and always remains in good shape.
Description of the plant
Leaves
Oxalis is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant of the Oxalis family. It reaches a height of 40 cm. It has creeping stems. The rhizome of the flower can be creeping or gnarled, in the form of a tuber or bulb.
Oxalis leaves are curly and divided into three or four parts. There are plants whose leaves are divided into five, six or nine parts, but these are fewer. Even rarer are Oxalis specimens, the leaves of which are divided into 15-19 lobes, which gives the rosette a unique futuristic appearance.
The leaves are held on long thin petioles. They are arranged in a circle and are very reminiscent of butterfly wings. The shoots are collected in a bush. When there are a lot of them, the bush becomes lush and attractive. The leaves are not only green in color, but also orange-red, purple and violet. Some are distinguished by the variegated color of their leaf surface.
Flowers
Oxalis is a flowering plant. At home, it blooms almost all year round with umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Its flowers are small, with five petals. The color of the petals includes all shades of white, yellow, lilac, pink and cream. In some species of Oxalis, the flowers are completely white, while in others they are decorated with pink or purple veins. The peculiarity of leaves folding at times is also inherent in flowers. They are very sensitive. Many varieties of Oxalis close their corollas not only at night, but also in cloudy weather.
Fetus
The fruit of Oxalis is a box with valves, inside of which there are seeds. The shell in which the ripe seeds are collected is very thin and is easily torn by any touch.
This may be interesting: Flowering of indoor gloxinia (sinningia) and what to do after
Features of the plant
Variegated wood sorrel is not at all like its sisters from the wood sorrel family. So, if the leaves of the common sorrel resemble clover, then the leaves of the variegated sorrel are thin and oblong. The length of the bright green leaf is on average about 2 cm, and it looks like a narrow strip folded in half. The root system of the plant is tubers that spread horizontally and produce new shoots. This way the bush turns out lush, while its height does not exceed 15 cm.
The “highlight” of the species is its flowering. An open flower, when viewed from above, has nothing special: 5 white petals and a narrowed “neck”, like a gramophone. However, when it is closed, it becomes clear why the wood sorrel is called that. The reverse side of the white petals is surrounded by a bright red border, and they close in a spiral. When closed, the flowers look like striped caramel or an ice cream cone topped with cherry jam.
Interestingly, the buds open only under the sun's rays, and close again in the evening.
Benefit
Oxalis is conditionally poisonous, but within reasonable limits all its parts can be eaten and used in folk medicine. Oxalis is rich in vitamins and valuable natural substances, such as:
- flavonoids (quercetin, glucosylisovitexin);
- vitamins A, C, K, B9 (folic acid), P (rutin);
- carotenoids (100 mg per 100 g of foliage);
- oxalic, succinic, citric, malic acids.
Oxalis is not used in official pharmacology, but it is used in alternative medicine and homeopathy. To prepare medicinal raw materials, the herbaceous part of the plant is used: leaves and inflorescences. The optimal time for collection is the flowering period (late April to early July), when the concentration of biologically active substances in the plant reaches its maximum. Fresh and dry herbs are suitable for preparing medicinal compositions. Oxalis is cut and dried in special dryers or under a canopy with good ventilation. The finished mixture is poured into paper bags and cardboard boxes and used throughout the year, when the beneficial properties of the raw materials are preserved.
Oxalis juice and infusions from it are used to treat ulcers, wounds, colds, bleeding, and hypertension. Used as a diuretic and choleretic agent. Still, we advise you to consult with specialists before starting such treatment.
Properties of sorrel
For a long time, sorrel has been considered a medicinal plant. The above-ground part of the plant was used to treat scurvy, to treat ulcers and wounds, as an antidote for arsenic or mercury poisoning. Traditional medicine has successfully used the anthelmintic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and wound-healing properties of the plant.
- Why does hibiscus turn yellow?
Due to the high content of vitamin C in sour leaves, its consumption helped cope with colds and strengthened the immune system. Oxalis is also in demand in cooking: tasty and healthy tea was prepared from it, and added to cabbage soup, green borscht or kvass.
Signs
Oxalis is a flower-amulet. Its energy is considered positive and very useful for the family, because it charges household members with love of life and vigor, gives them confidence in their own abilities, increases endurance, and strengthens the immune system. Suitable for a children's room, as it helps children develop their abilities and protects them from enemies.
This flower is usually given as a New Year's gift, as it is believed that it will bring happiness and good luck to the family. Where Oxalis grows, peace and prosperity reign.
It is believed that Oxalis also helps lonely people organize their personal lives.
Decorative deciduous species of Oxalis
First, let's introduce the species that are more valued for their color and leaf shape.
Deppe or Deppei (deppei)
A very popular look. Another name is “Four-leaved”. Its leaf resembles a clover leaf, which consists of three to four parts and has a pronounced (characteristic of this species) middle in the form of a purple-brown spot in the center of the leaf plate. Each rosette contains from 4 to 7 leaves, reaching a length of 4-5 cm. The entire plant is usually no higher than 35 cm. The inflorescences consist of small (up to 2 cm) reddish-violet (crimson) flowers with a yellow throat.
Iron Cross
Variety "Iron Cross" (O. tetraphylla Iron Cross), bred from Deppe's sorrel. The flowers are bell-shaped and pinkish-red in color. The peduncle is thin and long.
Triangular (triangularis) or Regnell (regnellii)
Another popular species for home growing. Its purple-violet leaves on tall thin petioles have a triangular shape. Moreover, the leaf plate is painted in two colors: in the middle of the leaf it is bright purple, and towards the edges it is darker. The height of the bush is 15-20 cm. From a distance it seems that the bush is strewn with fluttering butterflies. The flowers are small, no more than 3 cm in diameter, purple in color. They are collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pieces. Flowering occurs from February to August. The large flower has many leaves hanging from the pot, so this species is often used as an hanging plant. This species is especially sensitive to low temperatures and drafts.
Varieties of Oxalis Triangular
Papilionacea (Oxalis triangularis subsp.papilionacea)
Oxalis moth is distinguished by its soft green leaves and numerous white flowers that appear on the bush in spring and summer.
Cupido (Oxalis triangularis Cupido)
The Cupido variety has very dark, purple-black leaves and bright, lilac flowers. This contrast is impressive.
Silverado (Oxalis triangularis Silverado)
Oxalis Silverado has green leaves with silver speckles. The color of the petals is white.
This may be interesting: Aechmea - types and varieties of tropical exotics
Hedysaroides
This subshrub grows up to 30 cm. It has three-lobed leaves sitting on relatively short, up to 4 cm, petioles. The burgundy leaf has a green central vein and bright burgundy edges. Blooms with bright yellow flowers.
Succulent (succulenta)
This is a relatively tall plant, up to 35 cm, with a bizarre appearance: short thickened petioles at their ends bear small trifoliate leaves. The petioles are olive-gray in color and covered with a waxy coating. They are able to accumulate water in their fleshy tissues. Thanks to this, Succulent Oxalis can go without watering longer than its other relatives.
The leaves, depending on the variety, are colored light green or bronze-green. It blooms with small yellow flowers collected in sparse inflorescences.
Gigantea
Kislitsv Gigantskaya is the largest species. It is striking in its size - it produces straight powerful shoots up to 2 meters in height with branches slightly drooping to the bottom. The leaf plate consists of three leaves - small, heart-shaped. The crown gives the impression of green lace, above which large yellow flowers up to 2 cm rise.
Indoor views
Classification by leaf color
Oxalis (O. triangularis)
The most famous of the species grown in indoor floriculture, its other name is Regnella (oxalis regnellii). The leaves are triangular in shape, purple-violet, on tall thin petioles. The color of the leaf plate is two-color, bright purple in the middle, darker towards the edges of the leaf.
Triangular
Triangular moth
K. triangular variety Cupido Triangular variety Silverado
The size of the plant is 15-20 cm. From a distance, the flower creates the effect of fluttering butterflies. The flowers are purple, small (no more than 3 cm in diameter), collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pieces. Blooms from February to August. When the plant is large, many of its leaves hang from the pot. In indoor gardening it is used as an hanging plant.
Varieties:
- Papilionacea (Oxalis triangularis subsp.papilionacea) has soft green leaves, over which numerous white flowers appear in spring and summer.
- Cupido has a strong contrast: very dark leaves, violet-black and bright purple flowers;
- Silverado - green leaves with silver speckles, white flowers.
Succulent (Oxalis succulenta)
Tall, up to 35 cm, plant. It has a bizarre appearance - thickened short petioles bear small trifoliate leaves at their ends. The color of the petioles is olive-gray, covered with a waxy coating.
The leaves are light green or bronze-green, depending on the variety. This type of sorrel can remain without water for a short time; moisture is stored in the fleshy petioles. It blooms with small yellow flowers collected in sparse inflorescences.
Nine-leaved (O. enneaphylla)
A stemless creeping herbaceous perennial. It forms a dense turf, 8-10 cm in size. The leaves on pubescent petioles are palmate, consist of 9 lobes, are often in a semi-folded state, and are bluish-green in color. From a distance, the leaf resembles a green double flower.
Nine-leaved variety Minitifolia
Nine-leaved variety Alba
Nine-leaved variety Sheffield Swan
It blooms in May-July with fragrant large funnel-shaped flowers (diameter 2-3 cm). The color varies depending on the variety:
- Alba has white funnel-shaped flowers with a greenish-yellow center;
- Minutifolia is a miniature copy of K. nine-leaved, 5-8 cm in size, with large pink flowers;
- Sheffield Swan - large white flowers against grey-green foliage.
In indoor gardening of winter gardens, greenhouses are used as a ground cover plant, decorating the surface of pots with large specimens.
Hedysaroides (Oxalis hedysaroides)
Subshrub, grows up to 30 cm with three-lobed leaves sitting on short, up to 4 cm, petioles. The color of the leaf blade is two-color - green with brown spots. The flowers are bright yellow, on brown stalks.
Variety Rubra - leaf color is dark purple.
Ortgies (Oxalis ortgiesii)
An adult plant looks like a miniature “tree”. Leaves up to 7 cm, trifoliate, sit on long, slightly drooping petioles. Depending on the lighting, the foliage may be green or brownish-red. The inflorescences consist of 5-7 small yellow flowers.
Species valued for flower color:
Variegated (Oxalis versicolor)
The species is low, up to 20 cm, compact with trifoliate small needle-like leaves. Flowers immediately attract attention. Based on their color, gardeners often compare them to Christmas candy; they have a second name - caramel flower.
Buds of K. variegated
K. variegated variety Golden Cape
Bright white funnel-shaped flowers with a red edge around the edge of each petal create a striped effect. The plant is very thermophilic. Variety "Golden Cape" The flowers are bright yellow with a red border along the edge. From a distance, the stripes appear orange. The leaves are medium sized, bright green.
Oxalis Obtuza
Forms a compact miniature rosette, 8-10 cm high. The leaf blade is slightly pubescent or smooth, green. Flowers rise above the foliage on thin petioles. Valued for its ease of care and many varieties with peach, yellow and white flowers.
Variety Lady Elizabeth - blooms with delicate whitish-lilac funnel-shaped flowers with a greenish-yellow center.
K. Obtuza
K. Obtuza variety Lady Elizabeth
Decorative flowering species of Oxalis
These species are loved by flower growers mainly for the extraordinary beauty of their flowers.
Convexula
Another popular indoor look. It has modest sizes, fleshy small foliage and large, especially in comparison with the leaves, flowers of a delicate pink-salmon hue. Varietal specimens differ in their corollas - simple or double.
Nine-leaved (enneaphylla)
It is a stemless creeping herbaceous perennial. It forms a dense turf, 8-10 cm high. In indoor floriculture it is used as a ground cover plant, decorating the surface of pots with large specimens. The bluish-green palmate leaves consist of 9 lobes. They are attached to the stem using pubescent petioles. They are often in a semi-folded state and from a distance resemble green double flowers. The bush blooms in May-July with large (diameter 2-3 cm), fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers. The color of the petals varies depending on the variety.
Varieties of Oxalis Nine-leaved
Alba
Oxalis Alba has white funnel-shaped flowers with a greenish-yellow center.
Minutifolia
Oxalis Minutifolia is a miniature copy of Oxalis "Nine Leaf". Its size is from 5 to 8 cm, blooms with large pink flowers.
Sheffield Swan
Oxalis Sheffield Swan has large flowers that are brightly white with a greenish center.
Variegated or Multicolored (versicolor)
This is a low species of Oxalis, only 20 cm in height. Variegated Oxalis is valued for the spectacular appearance of its flowers. The bright white, funnel-shaped flowers are spectacularly curled and adorned with a red border around the edge of each petal, creating a striped effect. In a number of countries, the “Multi-colored” sorrel is called the “Christmas candy” or “Caramel flower”. Indeed, the buds are very reminiscent of traditional licorice candies and amazingly decorate this low compact bush. But this species stands out not only for its flowering, but also for its special foliage. Its trifoliate small leaves are very small, more like needles.
Golden Cape
Her variety "Golden Cape" has bright yellow flowers with a red border along the edge. From a distance the stripes appear orange. The leaves are bright green and medium in size.
Purple
Purple Oxalis is distinguished by its pubescent, rounded leaf blades. The leaves reach 7 cm in diameter. They are collected in rosettes of eight pieces. The flowers come in white or bright pink shades.
Obtusa
Obtuza forms a compact miniature rosette measuring 8 - 11 cm. Its root is a bulb. The leaf blades are rich green, slightly pubescent or smooth. The pipe-shaped flowers have 5 petals of a soft peach hue. They sit on thin long petioles and rise impressively above the foliage. This species is valued for its ease of care. It has many varieties, differing in the color of the flower petals: with peach, yellow and white flowers. In some varieties, closer to the center of the corolla, a ring of brighter color than the background stands out.
This may be interesting: Homemade (indoor) geranium or pelargonium - care at home
Boveya
This species is famous for its delicate bright pink flowers located on long stalks. Leathery pale green leaves are attached to thin shoots, up to 25 cm in length.
Caring for oxalis at home
Growing seedlings
The indoor flower oxalis has the same requirements for growing conditions as its wild relative. She needs intense but diffused light with shading from the direct rays of the sun. In the summer, home sorrel prefers temperatures within 20-25 ºC, which, however, is quite natural for this time of year. In winter, it is advisable to lower the temperature slightly - to 12-18 ºC, otherwise the plant will not bloom.
- Pereskia: home care
Watering in the summer should be plentiful, but water should not stagnate in the roots. With the onset of autumn, watering is reduced, and in winter, moistening the soil in a pot with sorrel should be symbolic, so that the soil is barely moist. The houseplant sorrel does not need to spray the leaves, although if the house is too hot and stuffy, you can spray the plant with boiled water. In winter, spraying oxalis is contraindicated.
Some species of wood sorrel rest in winter. The rest period lasts a month and a half. If you notice that the plant begins to lose leaves after flowering, reduce watering and move the flower to a cool place where it will rest. Sometimes the leaves from the sorrel tree do not fall, it simply stops growing, as if frozen - this is a sign that it is time to move it to a “winter apartment” to recuperate. At this time, watering should be minimal. But as soon as you discover that the plant has begun to appear new shoots, transplant it into fresh substrate, return it to its usual place, and resume watering and fertilizing.
Fertilizer
Caring for homemade sorrel requires timely feeding of the plant with complex mineral fertilizers. They are applied during the period of active growth and flowering every 2-3 weeks, and the concentration of the solution should be half that recommended by the manufacturer.
Oxalis transplant
Caring for indoor oxalis requires annual replanting of young plants; adult plants are replanted once every two to three years. If you don't know how to replant sorrel, start by choosing a pot. A pot for oxalis needs to be wide so that you can plant several tubers or bulbs in one container - this way you will get a luxurious flowering bush. A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the pot so that excess water does not stagnate in the roots of the plant.
Any soil is suitable for wood sorrel - buy a universal soil in the store or make a soil mixture yourself from leaf, turf, peat soil and sand in equal parts. Please note that if the soil is too nutritious, the plant will have many leaves and few flowers. Planting sorrel in a new pot is done with great care, together with a lump of earth, if you do not intend to start propagating it this time.
Pests and diseases
Oxalis is resistant to insects and disease, but if it is not properly cared for, it can become infested with red spider mites, aphids, or scale insects. Spider mites are eliminated by treating the plant with actellik, aphids are destroyed by spraying oxalis with a solution of two teaspoons of liquid soap in two glasses of water, and scale insects must first be removed mechanically - collect all the parasites from the plant, and only then treat the oxalis with actara.
- Callas after flowering - care features
If it is not possible to destroy the pests at once, after a week the treatment of the plant with medicinal preparations must be repeated. Do not forget that all manipulations are carried out in clean air, and the soil surface must be reliably protected from contact with drugs. A few hours after application to the above-ground part of the plant, the soap solution should be washed off with water, similarly covering the soil from soap getting into it.
If you are too zealous with watering and did not bother to place a layer of drainage under the soil, the plant may be affected by gray rot or fusarium. Both diseases in the initial stage can be successfully treated with foundationazole.
Rare botanical species of Oxalis
These plants are rarely found in flower shops. They can be bought (or exchanged) only from private collectors or in shops at botanical gardens.
Palmifrons
The flower has an unusual appearance: it looks like a miniature palm tree, although it is not related to it. It has a dense, symmetrical rosette. The green leaves, consisting of 16–19 lobes, sit on fleshy reddish-green petioles. Blooms in early spring with pinkish-white flowers.
Yellowish (luteola)
Yellowish Oxalis forms low (up to 10 cm) bushes. Both the leaves and its leaves are decorative. The leaf plate consists of 3 parts. The leaves are round, dark green with a purple speckled pattern. Large flowers (4-5 cm in diameter), very fragrant and yellow in color. One flower lives from 7 to 10 days. Has several varieties. Here are some:
Oxalis Glauca
Variety Glauca with pale yellow flowers and dark green leaves without a pattern.
Oxalis Splash
"Splash" dark green leaves are decorated with red splashes.
Split (laciniata)
Oxalis Razreznaya is a rather rare, miniature plant species native to Argentina. Grows up to 5 cm. Gray-green leaves consist of 10 lobes and have wavy edges. They sit on short petioles. Flowers (2–3 cm in diameter), solitary. Depending on the variety, they are colored white, blue or purple.
The 'Seven bells' variety has dark purple flowers.
Growing oxalis
The following elements are important in the soil mixture: sand, humus, peat, leaf soil and turf. Each part is added in equal proportions. If the plant is indoors, then select the appropriate pot. A medium sized container is suitable. A drainage layer of shards or expanded clay is laid at the bottom. Planting is accompanied by abundant watering.
Plant care
- Illumination . A lot of sunlight is needed, however, the plant needs it in a diffuse form. Direct rays have a negative effect on sorrel. You need at least twelve hours of daylight. If there is insufficient lighting, especially on cloudy autumn or winter days, it is recommended to use additional lighting.
- Temperature regime . In spring and summer, the recommended temperature is +20+25 degrees Celsius. It is also necessary to ventilate the plant, but protect it from strong drafts. In winter, the recommended temperature decreases: +12+18 degrees Celsius will be optimal.
- Humidity . Watering is needed regularly. The plant loves spraying. But you should not allow the liquid to stagnate. The flower goes into a dormant state in winter, at which time watering can be gradually abandoned over a period of four to six weeks.
- Feeding . From mid-spring to the end of summer, sorrel is watered with a solution of fertilizers with minerals. The frequency of application is 14–20 days.
- Plant diseases . Oxalis is immune to disease. Immunity is reduced only by improper care, when drafts, stagnant moisture and exposure to low temperatures are allowed. In this case, the plant is affected by gray rot and powdery mildew.
Types of Oxalis for open ground
Here are collected frost-resistant species and plants that require light shelter. They are grown for landscaping flower beds and rock gardens in gardens and parks. All of them have an interesting shape and bright colors.
Iron leaf (adenophylla)
Ferruginous oxalis is a winter-hardy and unpretentious species, up to 10–12 cm high. It has silver-green, multi-lobed leaves and pale pink flowers with purple veins and a crimson spot in the middle. This species is used as a ground cover plant for decorating alpine slides, retaining walls and as a low border. The species is also known to gardeners under the name “Chilean oxalis” or “Silver shamrock”
Nasturtium (tropaeoloides)
This species is prized for its striking contrast of dark purple foliage and yellow flowers. It grows in the form of low bushes, up to 20 cm in height, shade-tolerant and unpretentious, which form a dense carpet in the growing area. They are used to decorate tree trunks and as an alternative to a lawn in a shaded garden. They grow quickly and require restrictions.
Rozhkova
This unpretentious plant has high adaptability to any conditions. Capable of covering the plot of land allotted to it with a thick carpet in a short time. It has decorative appeal and useful properties. Propagates by self-sowing. Requires restrictions. As an option - planting in a flowerpot.
Poor (inops)
Oxalis "Poor" (Oxalis inops) Has bright green trifoliate leaves. It blooms in July-August with pink flowers with a yellow center. The flower petals are slightly bent downwards.
This is interesting! In South America, Oxalis tuberosa (Oxalis tuberosa) is grown. There this species is not considered ornamental - it is grown as an agricultural crop for food consumption. The sweet, starchy tubers compete with the sweet potato, the sweet potato. Depending on the variety, the tubers are white, yellowish, pink and purple. Once collected, they are eaten after cooking or dried for long-term storage, like mushrooms.
