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Oxalis corniculata is often confused with:
Oxalis stricta Oxalis stricta habit
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias tuberosa
Solanum americanum Solanum americanum
Yucca filamentosa Form in bloom

Oxalis corniculata

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
oks-AL-iss korn-ee-ku-LAY-tuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Creeping woodsorrel is in the Oxalidaceae family.  It is considered a weed in many turf and garden areas.  It grows best in spring or fall in warmer climates but plants will be present year-round. These plants are annual or perennial, spreading by rhizomes and stolon, as well as by seeds. Seeds are forcefully expelled up to 16 feet away out of cylindrical seed pods, much like Impatiens spp. Seeds have no dormancy and may germinate quickly. Flowers are bright yellow. Identifying characteristics include: heart-shaped leaflets on trifoliolate leaves and cylindrical seed pods. Leaves resemble those of clover, but woodsorrel is not in the legume family.  The leaves curl up at night and open in the morning to photosynthesize.  It prefers, dry to moist well-drained sandy-loam, alkaline soils.  It can grow in nutritionally poor soil. This plant resembles the common yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta L.)

Insects and Diseases: Plants harbor whitefly and mites. 

Management of Oxalis corniculata L.:  Sanitation is critical in controlling woodsorrel in container plants, especially in propagation areas. Do not let plants go to seed. Inspect all new plant materials before planting for infestations of this weed. Woodsorrel from seed is well managed by most preemergence herbicides. Once established it is nearly impossible to completely remove woodsorrel rhizomes and stolons. 

Propagation: seeds

More information on Oxalis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#herbaceous perennial#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source hard mast fruit#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial#annual#weed#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#herbaceous perennial#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source hard mast fruit#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial#annual#weed#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Oxalis
    Species:
    corniculata
    Family:
    Oxalidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts various bees, butterflies, birds, and mammals.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Tapered capsules that burst open to fling seeds when ripe. Unripe fruits have a tart flavor.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Saucer
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, 5-parted yellow flowers with a lemony flavor.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Unlike similar Oxalis species, the leaves grow alternately on long creeping stolons. The heart-shaped trifolate leaves can be either green or purple. May have some pubescence.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    This species has stolons that creep above and underground.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    All parts of the plant have toxic potential, although the possibility of serious effects is usually limited to ingestions of large quantities. Consuming Oxalis species can produce colic in horses, and kidney failure is possible if significant amounts are eaten.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Soluble calcium oxylates
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems