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Oxalis pes-caprae, (*) Cladus: Eukaryota Name Oxalis pes-caprae L.
Oxalis pes-caprae, (*) Vernacular names Ελληνικά, Κυπριακά: Ξιννίν -------- Oxalis pes-caprae (Bermuda buttercup, African wood-sorrel, Bermuda sorrel, Buttercup oxalis, Cape sorrel, English weed, Goat's-foot, Sourgrass, Soursob and Soursop) is a species of tristylous flowering plant in the wood sorrel family Oxalidaceae. Oxalis cernua is a less common synonym for this species. The flower is actinomorphic, with a calyx composed of five free or slightly fused sepals, a sympetalous corolla composed of five fused petals, an apoandrous androecium composed of ten free stamens in two ranks, and a compound pistil. Indigenous to South Africa, Bermuda buttercup is a highly invasive weed in many parts of the world including the United States (particularly coastal California), Europe, Israel and Australia.[1] It is often called by the common name sourgrass or soursob due to its pleasant sour flavor. This sourness is caused by oxalic acid, which is toxic in large quantities and may contribute to kidney stones. Control The plant has a reputation for being very difficult to eliminate once it has spread over an area of land.[citation needed] The weed propagates through its underground bulbs and this is the principal reason why it is so difficult to eradicate, as pulling up the stems leaves the bulbs behind. Soil in which the plant has grown is generally filled with small bulbs.[citation needed] Kluge & Claassens (1990) reported a potential biocontrol agent using Klugeana philoxalis, a larval feeder on shoots of O. pes-caprae.[2] O. pes-caprae is also a host to broomrape.[3] References 1. ^ Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia. "Soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae) (Nox)". Victorian Resources Online. http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/VRO/vrosite.nsf/pages/weeds_herbs_perennial_soursob. Retrieved 2006-06-06. Source: Wikispecies, Wikipedia: All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License |
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