Iron Cross Plant (Oxalis deppei)

Family: Oxalidaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Oxalis deppei is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from June to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

delicious lemony flavour, the leaves are tender and fairly free of fibres even when they get older. — Leaves and flowers - raw or cooked.; A delicious lemony flavour, the leaves are tender and fairly free of fibres even when they get older.; Both the leaves and the flowers make a very refreshing and thirst-quenching munch in the garden, they also make an excellent flavouring in salads.; The leaves are available from June to October and the flowers from July to October, or even later in mild autumns.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)