Oxalis europaea

Jordan

Common Yellow Oxalis

OxalidaceaeLeavesPotential hazards — see below

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What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and have a pleasant acid flavour, making an excellent addition to mixed salads. Use in moderation due to oxalic acid content.

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.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant.

Bangladesh, Britain, Europe, Mediterranean, North America, USA,

Countries: Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Barbados, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bahamas, Belarus, Belize, Canada, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Algeria, Estonia, Egypt, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Grenada, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Croatia, Haiti, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, Lebanon, St Lucia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Libya, Morocco, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Nicaragua, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, San Marino, El Salvador, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, United States, St Vincent

How to Identify

It is like Oxalis corniculata but the stems do not form roots at the nodes. The leaves are almost opposite or in rings. The fruit stalk does not curve back.

How to Grow

Plants can be grown from seed. Plants can also be grown by division.

Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, then plant out in late spring or early summer.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Other Uses

None known.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

A dwarf annual or perennial growing to 40cm tall. Flowers bloom from June to September with seeds ripening between July and September. Hermaphroditic and self-fertile. Prefers light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soils across a range of pH levels from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. Requires full sun and tolerates both dry and moist conditions.

Notes

There are about 500 Oxalis species.

Names & Synonyms

Amrul

Very many

References (4)

Ara, R. I. T., 2015, Leafy Vegetables in Bangladesh. Photon eBooks. p 21
Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 111
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
F. W. Schultz, Arch. fl. France Allem. 2:309. 1854