Re: oxalis was RE: Prize Pest
It's only used in a small quantity as a seasoning herb, along with wild fennel
Cali Doxiadis
Karl Hoover escribi&sgr;:
> Doxiadis/Malefakis wrote:
> Oxalis pes-caprae is undeniably indestructible but somehow seems too
> humble and too benign an opponent, spreading soft tender and lemony at
> our feet in great swaths of winter brightness. (Besides, Janet, it adds
> a delectable "tang" to the greens of our winter pittas here in the North
> of Greece).........
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> That delectable tang is due to non other than oxalic acid, named
> of course, for this genus. This material is a a powerful rust and
> soap scum remover and extremely toxic. It binds with calcium
> to form insoluable crystals which rupture kidney tissue. It
> is the metabolic successor of ethylene glycol, the principle component
> of automobile anitfreeze, which indeed is even tastier than oxalis.
>
> So, unless you have some need or desire for some more discrete form of
> seppuku I'd suggest avoid consuming both Oxalis and antifreeze. <8)
>
> Karl
> San Jose California, where
>
> Dahlia imperis' hundreds of blossoms are fading. Brugmansia and abutilon are
> blooming wildly. Camellia japonica is stirring from slumber. Vicia faba are
> poking about. Very atypically Lycopersicon esculentum is still setting
> fruit! Most
> everything else is drowsy or sleeping.....
