Pocket BotanistGuide botanique
Shamrock.
Oxalis
Prononciation ok-SAL-iss try-ang-gu-LAR-iss
Aussi appelée Sorrel, Sorrels, Suurings, Wood Sorrel, Wood-sorrels, Woodsorrel, Woodsorrels, billy goat grass
The purple shamrock is a charming plant known for its deep, triangular leaves that fold up at night. It is a bulbous perennial that adds a lovely splash of color to any indoor space. You will find it quite responsive to light, moving its foliage throughout the day.
En un coup d'œil
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Bulbous perennial
- Light
- Bright indirect light is best for keeping the leaves vibrant.
- Indoor light
- bright-indirect
- Water
- Every 7 to 10 days
- Mature size
- 30 cm tall and 30 cm wide
- Growth rate
- medium
- Hardiness
- USDA 7 to 10
- Bloom time
- Spring to summer
Entretien
Keep the soil lightly moist and provide plenty of bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant color. Watch for leggy stems, which indicate the plant needs more light, and allow it a short dormant period if it begins to look tired. Ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent the bulbs from sitting in water.
- Watering
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Feeding
- Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
- Pruning
- Trim back any yellowing or damaged stems at the base to encourage fresh growth.
- Repotting
- Repot in the spring if the bulbs become too crowded in the container.
- Soil
- Well draining peat based potting mix
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.0
- Temperature
- 15 to 24°C
- Humidity
- 40 to 60%
- Drought tolerance
- moderate
- Lifespan
- Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
- Deer and rabbits
- moderate
Signes qu'il faut rempoter
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
- The plant stops producing new leaves.
- Water runs straight through the pot without soaking in.
Sécurité
- People
- The plant is considered toxic if consumed in large amounts due to high levels of oxalic acid.
- Pets
- This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested due to soluble calcium oxalates.
- Children
- Keep this plant away from small children as ingestion of large quantities of leaves can cause stomach upset.
- Contact allergens
- Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the sap.
- Airborne allergens
- There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies from this plant.
- Edibility
- Oxalis contains oxalic acid, which can be harmful in large quantities or for people with kidney issues.
Comment l'identifier
- Deep purple triangular leaflets
- Leaves fold closed at night
- Delicate white or pink flowers
- Grows from small scaly bulbs
- Height
- 0.15 to 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.15 to 0.3m
- Leaves
- purple, burgundy, evergreen
- Flowers
- white, pink, 1 to 2cm
Problèmes courants
- Rust — Small orange or brown spots appear on the undersides of leaves.
- Aphids — Tiny insects that suck sap from new growth and cause leaf curling.
La cultiver
- Propagation
- division
- When to plant
- spring
- Overwintering
- If growing outdoors in cold climates, bring containers inside or mulch heavily. If the plant goes dormant, keep the soil barely moist until new growth appears.
- In containers
- Oxalis grows very well in pots, and a 6 inch container is usually sufficient for a single plant.
Division of Bulbs
- Gently lift the plant from its pot during the dormant season.
- Separate the small bulbs or offsets from the main clump.
- Replant the offsets in fresh, well draining potting mix.
Pair Oxalis with plants that have similar water needs to ensure they thrive together without one outcompeting the other.
Bonnes associations
- Ferns — They share similar light and moisture requirements in shady garden spots.
- Hostas — Their broad leaves provide a nice textural contrast to the delicate Oxalis foliage.
À éloigner de
- Turf Grass — Oxalis can become invasive and compete aggressively with lawn grasses.
Espèces similaires
- Shamrock — Often confused due to the three leaf structure, though they are unrelated.
Science
- Family
- Oxalidaceae
- Genus
- Oxalis
- Order
- Oxalidales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Native range
- Found globally, with high diversity in South America and South Africa.
- Conservation
- Most common Oxalis species are widespread and not of conservation concern.
It often colonizes disturbed soil or forest floors, utilizing its ability to grow from small bulbs or rhizomes to spread quickly.
- Value to wildlife
- nectar source
- Pollinators
- bees, butterflies
- Uses
- ornamental groundcover, container plant, rock garden accent
Au fil des saisons
Repères écologiques
- Salinity
- 2/9
- Soil reaction
- 5/9
- Light
- 5/9
- Temperature
- 5/9
- Moisture
- 4/9
- Nutrients
- 4/9
Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.
Ce qu'on demande souvent
- Is Oxalis a weed?
- Some species are considered aggressive garden weeds, while others are prized ornamentals.
- Does it need full sun?
- Most prefer bright, indirect light to partial shade.
D'où vient le nom
The name Oxalis is derived from the Greek word oxys, meaning acid, referring to the sour taste of the leaves. The common name wood sorrel also highlights this acidic flavor profile.
Bon à savoir
- The name Oxalis comes from the Greek word for acid.
- Some species are known as wood sorrel.
- The leaves are often shaped like clover but are not true clovers.
Ton shamrock a mauvaise mine ?
Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.
Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.