Text: The leaves contain oxalic acid, which gives them their sharp flavour. Perfectly all right in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since oxalic acid can bind up the body's supply of calcium leading to nutritional deficiency. The quantity of oxalic acid will be reduced if the leaves are cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition [238]. Physical Characteristics Perennial growing to 0.2m. It is frost tender. It is in leaf from June to October, in flower from June to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. Habitats and Possible Locations Cultivated Beds, In Walls, In South Wall, In West Wall. Edible Uses Flowers; Leaves; Root. Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. A pleasant acid flavour[K]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet, Flowers - raw[K]. A pleasant and decorative addition to the salad bowl[K]. Root - raw or cooked. The root is up to 5cm long and 15mm wide, it is crisp and juicy with a pleasant sweet mild flavour[K]. Medicinal Uses Disclaimer None known Other Uses None known Cultivation details Easily grown in a sandy soil in a warm dry position in sun or light shade[1, 200]. Grows well in a dry shady corner[260]. Plants are not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[260]. Given a suitable position, it should succeed outdoors at least in the mildest parts of the country[K]. It should be possible to grow it even in the colder areas by digging up the bulbs in the autumn after the top growth has been cut down by frosts, storing them in a cool but frost-free place and replanting them in mid to late spring[K]. Propagation Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Web References € [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources or the The Gatherer where you can search many other sources all in one go. References [K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. [1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951 Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]). [200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. [238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. [260] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5 Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

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