THE ART ALBUM OF NEW ZEALAND FLORA. 



77 



few, towards the end of May. It has been asserted that the Oxalis only displays its 

 flowers on sunny days, but it is not absolutely correct, as we have ourselves seen its 

 expanded flowers displayed on a very cloudy and rainy day, late in the month of May. 

 The flowers vary in size on different plants, the largest ones being about half an inch in 

 diameter. They are said to contain a good deal of honey, but possess no fragrance. For 

 fertilization they are supposed to be dependent on insects. The foliage has a pleasant 

 acid flavour similar to the common wood sorrel O. acetosella, of Britain. Many species 

 of the genus are in cultivation, the flowers of which are handsome in form and brilliant 

 in colour. One of them, 0. crenata, has an erect leafy stem, and umbellate flowers, 

 which are yellow, streaked with purple. It is a native of Peru, and is largely cultivated 

 about Lima for its very acid leafstalks and tuberous roots. This plant is well known as 

 the one which, some years ago, was introduced into Europe as a substitute for the potato. 

 The tubers are soft and watery, and resemble a Jerusalem Artichoke in flavour. In 

 appearance they are similar to the potato. It was expected that it Avould prove a valuable 

 substitute for that edible ; but this, however, has not been realized, the tubers being 

 considered insipid, and the produce small, not exceeding half a pound to the plant. The 

 leaves have been recommended as a substitute for rhul^arb in tarts ; ])ut the best way 

 of using them, however, is in salads. 



2. OXALIS MAGELLANICA {Forsl.) The Straits of Magellan Oxalis. 



Specific Chaeactee. — A small, glabrous or pubescent, 

 stemless, rather succulent species, 3-4 in. high. Rhizome 

 creeping, perennial, corered witli imbricate scales (old stipules). 

 LeaTes, 3-foliolate ; leaflets, broadly obcordate, glabrous, 

 glaucous below. Petioles usually hairy. Peduncles radical. 



l-flo\vered, 2-br.acteoIate, often longer than the leaves. Sepals, 

 ovate, obtuse. Petals, p\ire white, i-j in. long, oblong-obovate 

 or obcordate, often oblique and ciliated. Capsules, globose. — 

 Haitdbouk of the New Zealand Flora, p. 38. 



Description, etc. — Fig. 5, Plate No. 16. — This elegant little plant is indigenous to 

 both Islands, being found in the damp woods and along the stony beds of mountain 

 rills in the sub-alpine and alpine regions. In some instances it has been detected growing 

 among the snow, in full bloom. It is very nearly allied to the European Wood Sorrel, 

 O. acetosella, and is recorded in the " Maiidbook " as identical to the one found at Cape 

 Horn. On this account it bears the name of " Magcdlanica." The same species is 

 common in similar situations in Tasmania and South Chili. The flowers are white, and 

 vary in size. Like O. corniculata they are scentless, and it is doubtful if they contain 

 honey. The foliage has an acidity, pleasant to the taste. 



