Purple Shamrock pictures-Love flower-Oxalis triangularis

I've found this Purple Shamrock-Oxalis triangularis, in front of a church.
It is also called Love Plant and I only saw it before indoors, as a house plant. I was surprised to see that it thrives in the over 30C full sun.
It is said that they need lower temperature or they go dormant earlier but I saw this one flowering all summer.

The small flowers of Purple Shamrock are produced in clusters, having a beautiful, light purple-pink color.

The foliage is deep purple with a central blotch of red on each heart-shaped leaflet. The leaves fold down in low light conditions, from sunset till morning light, when they open again.

Oxalis Triangularis are bulbous plants and can be propagated by division of the bulbs during the dormancy period.
Like by any other wood-sorrel, the leaves of Oxalis Triangularis are edible, with moderation. They contain Oxalic acid , that in high quantity can aggravate arthritis, gout, and kidney stones.

Though I see this plant as a delicate house plant, in some parts of the world it seams to be invasive and a nuisance.

MACRO FLOWERS SATURDAY

Read more >>

Rose Mallow - Lavatera trimestris-pictures and info

Rose Mallow - Lavatera trimestris is a fast growing, heavily blooming annual shrub, indigenous to Europe and naturalized in many parts of the world.

It grows 60-100 cm (2-3 feet) high and produces large, pink-purple or white flowers, resembling hibiscus or hollyhock flowers.
The pink flower petals are crossed by darker purple veins.

Rose mallow is an abundant bloomer, having a long blooming period, from June all the way until September.

Growing tips:

• Though it is an annual, the rose mallow will reseed itself if left to do it.
• Saw the seed in early spring at the place where the plant will grow, it doesn't like replanting.
• Rose mallow is a very adaptable plant, there for very easy to grow. It does best in sandy or loamy soil but tolerates clay as well.
• No need for fertilizer and it is not picky about the PH level of the soil either.
• It prefers full sun to light shade and average moisture level.

Rose mallow, with its tropical appearance, is a lovely addition to any garden.

Read more >>

Evening primrose-Oenothera photos

So this is the evening primrose!
I had no idea what this flower was when I took this picture. I was very disappointed when I identified as the evening primrose.

Of course I've heard about it but because of the name relationship I was expecting to see something as delicate as the spring primrose, the primula.

As its name says, evening primrose flowers should open in the evening but strangely, I took these photos in the middle of the day.

The flowers are very large with 5-6cm long petals. This species must be the Oenothera glazioviana, the large-flowered evening primrose on its common name.

Click the badge in the side bar and join Macro Flowers Saturday.

Read more >>