Oxalis oregana - Redwood Sorrel

Family:	Oxalidaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.2
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America - Washington to California.

Oxalis oregana (Redwood Sorrel) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.2m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Redwood Sorrel will flower in November to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Redwood Sorrel will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Redwood Sorrel prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Redwood Sorrel can grow in full, semi shaded areas and areas with no shade.

Redwood forests[187]. Moist woods[60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a moisture-retentive humus-rich soil in shade or dappled sunlight[200]. Succeeds in dense shade[187]. Grows well in a wild or woodland garden[200]. Plants can be very invasive when in suitable conditions[60].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - raw or cooked[118, 183, 257]. A mass of the leaves and stems can be allowed to ferment slightly when they make a tasty dessert[183]. A sort of rhubarb pie can be made from the leaf stalks[183]. Use in moderation, see notes above on toxicity.

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
A decoction of the whole plant has been used as a wash in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The fresh juice of the plant has been used as eye drops to ease sore eyes[257]. A poultice of the wilted leaves has been used as a dressing on boils, sores and on swollen areas of the skin[257].

• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Known Hazards

The leaves contain oxalic acid, which gives them their sharp flavour. Perfectly all right in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since oxalic acid can bind up the body's supply of calcium leading to nutritional deficiency. The quantity of oxalic acid will be reduced if the leaves are cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant for a woodland garden[197, 208], though it can be invasive[60]. It needs weeding for the first year or so[197].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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