Oxalis on the wiki
diana chapman (Tue, 18 Nov 2003 10:56:07 PST)

Hi Jerry and All:

Just my luck that the TOW on my favorite genus came while I was computerless
for a week!

I have the pale yellow form of O. lobata, and it came to me as O.
perdicaria. The leaflets are the same as O. lobata - they are unusual in
that one lobe of the leaflet stands up looking like Mickey Mouse ears. The
flowers are pale yellow and have no scent at all, unlike the honey scent of
O. lobata. They seem to have other anatomical differences, but since oxalis
within the same species can have different configurations of style and
filaments or anthers, I'm not sure what that means. This one seems a little
less vigorous than O. lobata, but still grows under similar conditions and
is not difficult. O. lobata and O. perdicaria are suitable for outdoor
planting in the appropriate climates - they can both withstand several
degrees of frost and are not invasive at all.

Diana
Telos

----- Original Message -----
From: <JFlintoff@aol.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 9:25 AM
Subject: [pbs] Oxalis on the wiki

Mary Sue and Arnold

Oxalis perdicaria in the earlier name for O. lobata. The former was
first described in 1782 as Sassia perdicaria by Molina whereas the latter

was

described by Sims in 1823. Even though perdicaria was described in a

different

genus it still has priority over lobata.

In the Encyclopedia of Alpines vol. 2 published by the Alpine Garden
Society of GB under O. perdicaria there is a discussion of another paler

yellow

plant that grows with O.perdicaria that may be possibly an undescribed

species.

I'd love to get one!

O.perdicaria is hardy most years in zone 8 but in a really cold winter

it

may be wiped out. I grow it in a pot in a frame. It is wonderful to

bring

indoors in November/December to enjoy its great fragrance.

By the bye the rather unusual adjective perdicaria pertains to the
Greek/Latin word perdix meaning partridge. I don't know if partridges are

native

to S Am or introduced but I would imagine that they would be easily

scratched

out of the ground for a snack.

Jerry John Flintoff
Vashon Island,Washington,USA
Zone 8
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