The Oxalis acetosellaalso known as Hallelujah and Hazarilla is a long-lasting plant that is part of the family of the oxalidaceae. It is native to Europespecifically from Iceland and Spain and also from the central part of Asia.
It measures about three inches high by about 30 inches wide. The Oxalis use the cleistogamy, diptera and anthophylls in order to pollinate its flowers, which are endowed with hermaphroditic reproductive organs.
Features
This species can be found in those soils with high humus contentbeech groves, oak groves and humid areas over two thousand meters high. It is very rare to find them in the Mediterranean area. Its leaves have petioles that can measure 15 centimeters. The shape is usually a little webbed, very similar to clovers, with leaflets between 10 and 30 millimeters somewhat emarginate.
As for their flowers, they have a shape similar to that of a calyx and their color usually varies between lilac, white or pink provided with some stretch marks. The peduncles measure five or 10 centimeters.
The calyx is composed of five lanceolate sepals, somewhat membranous, which are attached to the base, they are about five millimeters long. The corolla is formed by five petals of 8 to 15 millimeters of white color, while its nerves have purple or lilac tones. The androecium is composed of about 10 stamens in conjunction with yellow anthers. The gynoecium has only one ovary crowned in turn by five styles. Flowering occurs in the spring season.
On the other hand, its fruit has a shape very similar to an ovoid and angular capsule, measuring about 10 millimeters. When they reach full maturity, an opening is created due to certain sutures in a longitudinal and ejects its small seeds as if they were projectiles with just the slightest touch.
Uses
This species is widely used in the field of medicine, as it serves as “spring cures” using them for whole body detox. This is mainly due to its great properties as a diuretic and depurative, since they oxygenate the blood and also get rid of its waste.
Likewise, it is used for the elaboration of infusions that help fight conditions such as fever, being also very refreshing, perfect for lowering the temperature and relieving thirst. On the other hand, and in addition to its good medicinal uses, it also serves to remove stains from clothing and as a base ingredient for the production of ointments that are used to clean metals, such as copper.
Oxalis acetosella care and cultures
Our Oxalis acetosella they are plants of simple cultivation with a fairly rapid development. It is advisable to plant them at the end of the autumn or winter seasons. Its reproduction is carried out by means of seeds and also by plant division. It needs acid soils for optimal growth, however they can do well in common soils. In case of planting them in the garden, the ideal would be to mix the soil with a third of sand. They require constant but not excessive watering.
This plant requires good exposure to sunlight or at least very good lighting. It is very important to avoid exposure to temperatures that are below 5 ° C, also they can tolerate cold temperatures but they are not continuous.
When preparing the soil for planting, it is essential fertilize them using compost and in addition, add a fertilizer, preferably mineral and monthly from mid-spring and also mid-autumn. These species do not need to undergo pruningHowever, it is essential to prevent them from spreading more than they should, since they are usually a little invasive plants. The Oxalis acetosella It is a very resistant plant, both to pests and diseases, so it does not require specific care for these cases.
