Oxalis stricta

Upright wood sorrel ( Oxalis stricta )

The Upright sorrel ( Oxalis stricta ) is an annual or short-lived perennial herbaceous plant of the family of the sorrel family ( Oxalidaceae ). The plant is native to North America and East Asia.

Features

The plant is 10 to 30 cm high, the stem is first erect and unbranched, later it branches and prostrate forms on the stem but no roots. The Upright sorrel has an underground creeping rhizome. The leaves are light green and shamrocks similar shape. Stems and leaves are hairy.

In contrast to the related wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella, which is a typical early flowering plants, the flowers of Vital sour clover can be observed almost over the entire growing season. The flowers are borne in inflorescences zymösen to two to five. The approximately 1 cm wide, five-fold, bright yellow flowers consist of five narrow sepals and five wide - oval petals. The fruit is a five-sided capsule, it contains numerous brown or reddish brown, about 1 mm large seeds.

Ecology

The Upright sorrel is usually annual, rarer than rhizome Geophyt enduring. He is a neophyte in Germany, in Schleswig -Holstein and Bavaria occurred in 1850 for the first time in 1807 The plant is native to North America and East Asia. The species is exceptionally resistant to dryness, then uprooted plants take root again and single sheets form in the water glass roots. The leaves are sensitive to impact and are already taking in the moonlight days position.

The flowers are usually open only in sun; usually occurs spontaneous self-pollination

The fruits are spin fruits.

Location and distribution

The Upright sorrel is native to North America and East Asia. In China, it grows in woods and ravines at altitudes from 400 to 1500 meters. You can meet the Upright sorrel in Central Europe on nutrient- rich but poor in lime soils of the highlands. Also on fresh loamy soil, in fields, along roadsides or in gardens and cemeteries he is to be found.

Use

The leaves, flowers and young fruit capsules are edible, but the leaves contain a lot of oxalic acid. Various North American Native used the upright sorrel as food to produce a yellow-orange color as well as medicine.