Sourgrass Oxalis stricta
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Sourgrass:
- Phonetic Spelling
- oks-AL-iss STRIK-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Common yellow woodsorrel is a perennial weed in the Oxalidaceae (wood sorrel) family. It is native to North America and Eurasia and appears in woodlands, meadows, and disturbed areas.
Yellow woodsorrel is considered an aggressive weed in many turf and garden areas and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. It grows fastest in spring or fall and in warmer climates plants can be present year-round. These plants spread by rhizomes and stolons as well as by seeds which germinate quickly. Oxalis prefers dry to moist well-drained sandy-loam, alkaline soils.
Woodsorrel from seed is well managed by most preemergence herbicides. Once established it is nearly impossible to completely remove woodsorrel rhizomes and stolons. Seeds need sunlight to germinate so mulch can help reduce germination but will not prevent plants from propagating from root pieces. Nonselective herbicides are effective when plants are young.
Quick ID Hints
- The flowers are small and bright yellow.
- The leaves are trifoliate and heart- shaped like shamrocks.
- The seed pods are cylindrical.
- The leaves curl up at night and open in the morning to photosynthesize.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants harbor whiteflies and mites.
VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Travis Birdsell, County Extension Director and Extension Agent for Ashe County Extension
- Profile Video:
- 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:
- stricta
- Family:
- Oxalidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America, Eurasia
- Edibility:
- Leaves, stems, flowers, and seed pods are edible and have a sour, tangy flavor. Use sparingly due to oxalic acid content.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Cylindrical seed pods that are explosive and can catapult seeds up to 16 feet away.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Bright yellow
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Heart-shaped trifoliate leaflets
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Poor Soil
- 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
