I have two types, Oxalis debilis with rounded leaves and pink blooms and Oxalis triangularis with triangular leaves and white blooms. I started with just two small plants at the edge of what I call my "mini-woodland shade garden". One day my dog Jack, who likes to dig, tore up the bed where these were planted. Oh well, I guess I can replace the plants easily enough. But to my surprise what the dog actually accomplished was to spread the plants around by digging and relocating the little tubers. Instead of two plants I now have a huge area in my shade garden carpeted with Oxalis.
Several of my neighbors are Latinas. When they visited my garden to gather herbs they indicated that the Oxalis plant was very tasty. Hmmm? Looked it up and yes, these are edible plants. Because the plant contains oxalic acid it is wise to eat only a small amount but...oh, guess a person would have to eat a truckload to overdose on the oxalates. This plant is a joy. How grand to have such an attractive, carefree plant that grows in shade and has the added benefit of being edible.
Oxalis triangularis, mine has the green foliage:
Oxalis debilis
Having success with these two types gives me the incentive to grow Oxalix tuberosa, the type grown mostly for the edible tuber.
Oca tubers.
