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Re: Waxing Eloquent with Oxalis

   Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 22:16:19 -0800
   From: vtolson@juno.com (Victoria T. Olson)

   Yes, Oxalis pres-caprae (Bermuda Buttercup) brings back so many memories
   for me, too. We also called it sourgrass and chewed on the long stems
   topped with slender yellow bells, and my 13-year-old son carries on the
   tradition whenever he goes out in back to read "Watership Down" to the
   rabbits. Now I know, however, that oxalis "juice" contains oxalic acid,
   which can interfere with calcium absorption. (Still, it ranks as a better
   snack than the road tar we also liked as kids!)

Ahh...memories.  I hope the 2-5 stalks I chew a week aren't going to screw
up my calcium levels...but I digress.

   The second Oxalis that interests me I keep as a container plant, letting
   it go dormant in the summer. You can sometimes buy it this time of year
   for St. Patrick's Day, though you won't be "wearing the green." The
   leaves are a deep wine purple, while the flowers are fluted rosy pink
   bells that appear in delicate clusters. It's sold as Oxalis triangulata,
   but I think it could also be the O. purpurea 'Grand Duchess' described in
   the Sunset Western Garden Book. It also seems to me that I've seen this
   purple oxalis noted as a native of Brazil. 

I have Oxalis triangulata as a houseplant too.  I've seen some pictures of
Grand Duchess and it's nothing like what we have.

I'm having trouble with my O. triangulata.  It grows okay but it has only
bloomed once in 2 years.  How do I get it to bloom?  (I don't use anything
that's not organic)

Oh, if anyone wants some Oxalis pres-caprae or some of the lower growing
ones with pink or white flowers...please come and take them from my yard.
They are all yours!!

Cyndi

_______________________________________________________________________________
Oakland, California            Zone 9 USDA; Zone 16 Sunset Western Garden Guide
Disabled, chemically sensitive, wheelchair user          Organic Gardening only
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"There's nothing wrong with me.  Maybe there's                     Cyndi Norman
something wrong with the universe." (ST:TNG)                   cnorman@best.com
__________________________________________________ http://www.best.com/~cnorman
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