Oxalis on the wiki

JFlintoff@aol.com JFlintoff@aol.com
Tue, 18 Nov 2003 09:25:38 PST
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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