THE OXALIS FAMILY. 



495 



in the hothouse. The Garden Balsam, /. Balsamina, native 

 of the East Indies, has been cultivated for more than 250 

 years, and many fine varieties have been raised with double 

 flowers. 



The Oxalis Family. 



(OxALIDACEiE.) 



Trees, small shrubs, soft frutlets, or herbs, often tuberous 

 rooted. Leaves alternate, simple, trifoliate, or more com- 

 pound. Flowers generally solitary, on long footstalks, usually 

 of showy colours. Sepals 5. Petals 5, equal, spirally twisted 

 before opening. Stamens 10, free or united. Pistils 3 or 5. 

 Fruit a valved capsule, which is either membranous or suc- 

 culent. 



About 350 species compose this family, the principal part 

 belonging to the genus Oxalis, and abounding as bulbous- 

 rooted plants in South Africa. In Tropical America they 

 are small shrubs, and in India they are represented by small 

 trees. They contain an acid principle, called oxalic acid. 



Blimbing(u4. verrAoa 5z7m&/)andCarambola(J.. Caramhola). 

 Small trees, seldom attaining the height of 20 feet, having 

 winged leaves. They are natives of India, and are cultivated in 

 tropical countries for their fruit, that of the first being oblong 

 and pulpy, about the size of the thumb, like a small cucum- 

 ber, of a yellowish colour. The fruit of the latter is about 

 the size of a hen's egg, and three angled, having soft flesh 

 like a plum, exceedingly juicy and refreshing. Both are 

 made into pickles, and the flowers into conserves. 



Arracacha {Oxalis crenata). A native of Peru, New Gra- 

 nada, and other parts of Tropical America, where it is culti- 

 vated for its tuberous roots, which are about the size of a 

 hen's egg, the skin being full of eyes, like a potato. It was 

 introduced into this country about thirty years ago, when it 

 was supposed that it would become a useful garden vegetable, 

 but it Avas found to be watery and insipid. 



0. Deppei. A native of Mexico, also having tuberous 

 roots, which are a little more farinaceous than the preceding. 



