Accepted Scientific Name: Oxalis megalorrhiza Jacq.
Oxalis [Jacquin] 33. 1794 Jacq.
Oxalis carnosa Photo by: Diego Armentano
Origin and Habitat: South America (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador Chile and the Galapagos Islands), but naturalized in other tropical regions throughout the world.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Oxalis megalorrhiza
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Oxalis megalorrhiza Jacq.Oxalis [Jacquin] 33. 1794Synonymy: 25
Accepted name in llifle Database:Oxalis megalorrhiza var. hirta (R.Knuth) J.F.Macbr.Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 13, pt. 3: 574. 1949Synonymy: 3
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Description: The Wood Sorrel, (Oxalis carnosaSN|22455]]SN|22474]]), is generally included within (as a synonym of) Oxalis megalorrhizaSN|22455]]SN|22455]], suggesting that there is not really a fundamental difference between the two. The name carnosa, meaning "fat, succulent", refers to the swollen rootstock and short frutticose stems leafy and floriferous only at apex. The succulent roots helps distinguish this sorrel from the other herbaceous species.
For more details see: Oxalis megalorrhizaSN|22474]]SN|22455]] |SN|22455]]
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Oxalis megalorrhiza group
- Oxalis carnosa Molina: is generally included within (as a synonym of) Oxalis megalorrhiza, suggesting that there is not really a fundamental difference between the two.
- Oxalis megalorrhiza Jacq.: has a swollen rootstock and short frutticose stems leafy and floriferous only at apex. Leaves ternate. Distribution: South America (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador Chile and the Galapagos Islands)
Cultivation and Propagation: This is a winter/spring-grower, but can grow all year.
Reproduction: Seeds. Of the three fully succulent Oxalis species grown, only O. megalorrhiza (syn: O. carnosa) qualifies for this list. Also it is the only succulent Oxalis in general cultivation that seeds. These are produced in the typical explosive capsules of this genus that ensures the seeds are dispersed up to a few metres from the parent. After Umbilicus rupestrisSN|23473]]SN|23473]] it is the next biggest nuisance in the succulent collections.