44 



OXALIS GENICULATA. 



with soft hairs (lobata being smooth), in its corolla not being punctate, and its 

 root not being tuberous but fusiform, as distinctly shown in the plate ; and more 

 especially by its geniculate scape. It is also allied to oxalis tenera of the Bot. 

 Register ; but the last peculiarity is sufficient to distinguish the species. It is 

 said to be a native of Brazil, in South America, but of this we are not certain. 

 It requires to be kept in the stove while growing, and may be placed in the 

 green-house or a cold frame while dormant. It may be increased by dividing the 

 roots just before they commence growing. The soil should be loam, peat, and 

 sand, with plenty of drainers in the bottoms of the pots. This is an extensive 

 genus, containing, according to De Candolle, 154 species, exclusive of varieties : 

 and many more have been added since he published his Monograph. The order 

 Oxalideae, which is a very natural one, is composed of the genus Averrhoea, 

 Bryophyllum, and Oxalis ; and as some of our readers may probably be unac- 

 quainted with the distinctive characters by which the order is recognised, we will 

 here insert them. All plants forming this order have the calyx or outer envelope 

 of the flower divided into five parts, called sepals. They have also five petals. 

 The stamens are ten, joined together at the base, and are of different lengths ; 

 the five exterior are opposite to the sepals, and are short ones, and sometimes 

 toothed ; the other five are opposite to the petals, and much longer. The differ- 

 ence is well expressed by the dissection on the accompanying plate. Styles five, 

 of various lengths when compared with the stamens. Stigma brush-like or two- 

 lobed. The ovarium is free ; that is, it is not joined to any part of the flower, as 

 is sometimes the case in other orders, but separate, and five-sided, bursting for 

 the purpose of the dispersion of the seeds by the angles lengthwise. The seeds 

 are affixed to the central angle of the cells, and the younger ones are enveloped 

 in a case called arillus. The embryo is indented and straight, reaching the whole 

 length of the albumen. Such are the distinctive characters which form the order. 



The plants of which it is composed are found in most abundance in America 

 and the Cape of Good Hope ; and a few in India and Africa. Only two species 

 belong to Britain, Oxalis acetosella and Oxalis corniculata. None of this order 

 are poisonous to man if taken in moderation. They contain acid (oxalic) in a 

 greater or less quantity, which is more or less grateful to the inhabitants of the 

 country in which it is a native.— Oxalis crenata has been cultivated in this country 

 for its tubers, as a substitute for potatoes, but unsuccessfully ; its fleshy stems are 

 used for tarts, and are said to be pleasant.— Its generic name, oxalis, is derived 

 from the Greek Ogvs, sour ; its specific name, geniculate:, jointed (or, as used in 

 botany, knee-jointed), has reference to that upon the scape. 



Fig. 1, germ, with stamens and pistils ; 2, germ ; 3, petal ; 4, united filaments. 



