Creeping Woodsorrel Oxalis corniculata
- Phonetic Spelling
- oks-AL-iss korn-ee-ku-LAY-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- This species has stolons that creep above and underground.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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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
