YELLOW WOOD SORREL
Oxalis stricta
WOOD SORREL FAMILY (Oxalidaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - May, June, July, August, September, October
- Common in disturbed areas at both FF and NW
- Yellow flowers with 5 petals
- Heart-shaped leaflets in groups of 3 (often partially folded)
- Ridged, banana-shaped seed pods
This native perennial or annual is a low, spreading plant, with clover-like, heart-shaped leaflets (A). The flowers, up to 1 inch across, have 5 bright yellow petals, with variable shapes (B,C) and faint reddish “nectar lines” leading to the center (B). Leaflets fold up and flowers close when the sun goes down or on cloudy days. The erect, ridged seed pods with pointed tips are up to 1 inch long.
Common in open areas and waste ground at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods where it is often found along trails. It flowers from May through October.
This plant is widely distributed in temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. It is thought most likely to be native to both North America and Asia.
Gilmore indicates there were several Native American names for this plant, all having reference to its sour taste. At the present time Sour Weed or Sour Grass continue to be often used alternate common names, the tart taste related to high concentrations of oxalic acid present in the foliage. Shamrock and Sheep’s Clover are other common names.
The very similar Gray-green or Southern Wood Sorrel (Oxalis dillenii) likely also occurs at our nature centers, but is not discussed here as its subtle differences are difficult to separate in the field.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.