1.2- Genus Oxalis + Overview Oxalisis by far the largestgenusin the wood-sorrel familyOxalidaceae: of the approximately 900 knownspeciesin the Oxalidaceae, 800 belong here. The genus occurs throughout most of the world, except for thepolarareas; species diversity is particularly rich in tropicalBrazil,MexicoandSouth Africa. Many of the species are known aswood sorrels (sometimes written "woodsorrels" or "wood-sorrels") as they have an acidic taste reminiscent of the unrelatedsorrelproper (Rumex acetosa). Some species are calledyellow sorrelsorpink sorrel safter the color of their flowers instead. Other species are colloquially known asfalseshamrocks, and some calledsourgrasses. For the genus as a whole, the termoxalisesis also used. Wood sorrel (a type of oxalis) is an edible wild plant that has been consumed by humans around the world for millennia. The fleshy, juicy edible tubersof the oca(Oxalis tuberosa), have long been cultivated for food in Colombiaand elsewhere in the northern Andes mountainsofSouth America. It is grown and sold inNew Zealandas "New Zealand yam" (although not a true yam), and varieties are now available in yellow, orange, apricot, pink, as well as the traditional red-orange. The leaves of scurvy-grass sorrel (Oxalis enneaphylla) were eaten bysailorstravelling around Patagoniaas a source ofvitamin Cto avoidscurvy. InIndia, creeping wood sorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is eaten only seasonally, starting December-January. The leaves of common wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) may be used to make a lemony-tasting tea when dried. + Species Oxalisis by far the largest genus in the wood-sorrel family Oxalidaceae: of the approximately 900 known species in the Oxalidaceae, 800 belong genus Oxalis. The genus occurs throughout most of the world, except for the polar areas; species diversity is particularly rich in tropical Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
2- Taxonomy of the Genus Oxalis
The wood-sorrel familyOxalidaceae consits of the approximately 900 knownspeciesin which there are 800 species belong the genus Oxalis. + Selected species: There are about 125 selected species of the genus Oxalis. + Important species: There are 51 important speciesof the genus Oxalis.