Another Mystery Plant

[Cetti]

This was kindly left for me by the previous house owner - but what is it?

I've looked through books on House Plants and the nearest I can find is that it's some kind of Oxalis.

http://i13.tinypic.com/2yv09k7.jpg

[shaneystar2]

Hi Cetti
It's Purple Oxalis -- Oxalis regnellii 'Atropurpurea'.or The Purple Shamrock.
http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week021.shtml


http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http: //www.flowers.org.uk/images/plants/oxalis_260. jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flowers.org.uk/plants /plantfacts/oxalis.htm&h=260&w=260&sz=18&hl=en &start=5&tbnid=LvfzGHTBkSM7DM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=1 12&prev=/images%3Fq%3Doxalis%26gbv%3D2%26svnum %3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

[Cetti]

Thank you so much shaney, you've provided all the care instructions as well. Lovely!

[shaneystar2]

Whatever you do though Cetti don't plant it out in the garden ,which you can do because it has a bulb ..it will spread like wildfire and you will never get rid of it .
We've been here three and a half years now and I am still digging oxalis up all the time ..it's everywhere !

[Robinia]

<recoils in horror!>
aggghhh oxalis! hehe

[Cetti]

Why is Madame Robinia laughing....unless in all innocence I was expected to put said plant in garden......then call for help....

Thank you shaney for saving me :-)

[Robinia]

hi Cetti - haha!
..... the word oxalis strikes terror into every gardener's heart...some varieties are actually ok but I would always err on the side of caution &, as shaney said, never plant it outside.
It can be a real thug & I've had the tiny red leaved variety with yellow flowers for years. In fact, one of the reasons I had my front garden cleared & gravelled was that stuff! and still it comes back in the small planted area....grrrr.

If you ever spot any in your garden dig it out & burn it, bin it or catapult it into outer space immediately. :o)

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Cetti, I'm one of the ' terror struck gardeners' that Robinia refer's to, who has the small yellow flowered variety and knowing what a pig that one is to get rid of, I'm also reluctant to give any others a chance in the garden.
That one does look nice in that pot though !
All the Best Tbird+

[Cetti]

Thanks Tbird - I know I can count on you and shaney to save this innocent gardener from the clutches of the evil Madame :-)

[shaneystar2]

I shall confiscate her custard tarts in a minute !

I've got that yellowed flowered one like T bird and it is a pain in the proverbial...as fast as you dig it up it appears somewhere else to torment !