Day 166: It is not a shamrock. It is not a member of the clover family, despite its resemblance to it. It is in fact Oxalis oregana or Wood Sorrel, a common plant of Pacific Northwest forests. Shown here against a spray of cedar, the furry-edged trefoil leaves span approximately two inches at this stage of growth. A single five-petalled white flower with fine pink veination will arise as the plant matures, often appearing in masses where clusters of the plant exist side-by-side. Although eaten by Native peoples, ingestion is not recommended since the leaves contain high amounts of oxalic acid which may lead to development of kidney stones.
No comments:
Post a Comment