Japanese name: モンカタバミ（紋片喰） Scientific name:Oxalis tetraphylla
[Overview]
A perennial grown as an ornamental, reaching about 30 cm in height.
It has a bulb and no aboveground stem.
The leaves are basal and consist of 4 leaflets arranged in a cross; the leaflets are inverted heart-shaped to obovate and often notched at the tip.
The base of the leaf is purplish brown.
The petiole is 10–30 cm long.
The leaflets close and droop at night.
An umbel at the tip of a flower stalk held higher than the leaves bears deep salmon-pink flowers with 5 petals.
[Uses]
The flowers, leaves and bulbs are edible, but they contain oxalic acid, so caution is needed because eating large amounts may cause poisoning.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by dividing the bulbs.
It can overwinter outdoors in areas without frost; in cold regions, protect it from frost in winter or bring it indoors to a sunny spot.
It is easy to grow and multiplies well in sunny, well-drained soil.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries during the growing period, and keep it on the dry side during dormancy.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
It is tolerant of dryness.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
