Species Oxalis meyeri
Pictures from Observations
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From the Greek oxys = sharp, sour or acid and (h)als = salt. The plant is frequently consumed for its sour taste caused by the oxalic acid, particularly the flowering stalks of O. pes-caprae. In large quantities the oxalic acid inhibits digestion and in stock leads to the condition 'dikpens' or bloated belly.
Named after Louis Gottlieb Meyer (1867–1958), a German born missionary. Meyer frequently collected plants, especially around Namaqualand; or after Heinrich Meyer (1861–1886), a doctor who mainly collected plants around the Hantamsberg, Calvinia and Niewoudtville, specimens of which were sent to Berlin; or after Helmut Ernst Meyer (1908–1995), a student of Herre's who also collected many plants in the Namaqualand area.
Louis Meyer Initially trained as an agriculturalist; arrived in South Africa as missionary on 7 Nov. 1894 to practise in Namaqualand, firstly at Kommagas and later at Steinkopf, which also included the Richtersveld. Interested in natural history, especially plants, since childhood, his mission station became headquarters to Marloth on the latter’s visits to Namaqualand, and they sometimes collected together. Meyer also sent plants collected on his own to Marloth and to Herre (q.v.), and insects to Dr H.K.C. Andreae (q.v.) which are at present housed in the South African Museum. Interned at Pietermaritzburg for a time during World War I. After his retirement he settled in Stellenbosch, where he died and was buried.