Sorrel Forest

Description

Redwood Sorrel (Oxalis oregana) is a lovely forest green carpet. Sorrel flowers rise above the height of the leaves on stalks (referred to as peduncles) and range in color from white, pink or light lavender. This species grows in cool, moist Douglas-fir and coastal redwood forests in the Cascade, Olympic, and Coast Mountains from southwest British Columbia to the San Francisco Bay area of California. Redwood sorrel is capable of photosynthesis at low light levels. Higher-intensity light can damage the sensitive leaves. As a protective measure, leaves fold downward within several minutes when struck by direct light. Although mildly toxic from the presence of oxalic acid, redwood sorrel leaves are edible cooked or raw. It can be eaten in small amounts. Northwest tribes were known to eat redwood sorrel with dried fish. Native Americans would prepare decoctions of the entire plant to wash body parts affected by rheumatism. A poultice prepared from the plant was applied to boils and sores and used to draw out infection. The artist's imagination thought of a wood mouse perspective would best show a vast tangle of stems to navigate. More forest-inspired paintings to come: KimARTandDesign.com