Scientific Name
Oxalis gigantea Barnéoud
Common Name(s)
Churqui and Churco (Spanish), Giant Oxalis
Synonym(s)
Oxalis virgosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Oxalis
Etymology
The specific epithet "gigantea" (pronounced "jy-GAN-tee-uh") means "giant" and indicates that this species is probably the largest known in the genus.
Origin
Oxalis gigantea is native to Chile. It grows in the xeric shrublands around Antofagasta, Atacama, and Coquimbo.
Description
Oxalis gigantea, also known as Oxalis virgosa, is a shrubby succulent species with slender, few-branched stems that bear small, bright green, heart-shaped leaves. It can grow up to 8 feet (2.4 m) tall. The stems are erect to curved and drooping, and can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. They have numerous short, spur-like shoots, which are fleshy at first and become woody with age. The leaves can measure up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in length.
The flowers are bright yellow, appear in spring, and can reach a diameter of 1 inch (2.5 cm).
How to Grow and Care for Oxalis gigantea
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Oxalis can be grown indoors as a houseplant or outdoors in the garden. They are generally available from the garden center in the fall or early spring.
These plants require bright, indirect light to thrive and bloom. They can often bloom all winter if kept in a sunny spot. Keep the soil barely moist but never soggy. Allow the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil to dry before watering. It is best to water your Oxalis from the bottom so that the thin, fragile stems of the plant don't get waterlogged and the soil stays loose. Oxalis plants grow best in cool temperatures, ranging from 60°F to 70°F (15 °C to 21 °C) during the day and 55°F to 65°F (13 °C to 18 °C) at night. The soil should be loose and sandy rather than rich and organic. Feed your plant monthly when it is actively growing with a basic houseplant food at half the recommended strength. Never feed an Oxalis when it is dormant and the bulbs are resting.
To propagate Oxalis, divide the plant into smaller sections and replant them in their own pots. Keep it out of direct sunlight until new shoots appear.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Oxalis.
Links
- Back to genus Oxalis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
