Oxalis stricta Linnaeus. Common name: Common Yellow Wood-sorrel. Phenology: May-Oct. Habitat: Disturbed areas, also in a variety of natural habitats. Distribution: Widespread in North America south to n. Mexico, now widespread nearly worldwide.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, FNA12, Il, K4, Mex, Mi, Mo3, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WV, Eiten (1963), Robertson (1975), Ward (2004a); = Oxalis europaea Jord. — G; < Oxalis corniculata L. — WH3; > Oxalis europaea Jord. var. bushii (Small) Wiegand — F; > Oxalis europaea Jord. var. europaea — F; < Oxalis stricta L. — NcTx; > Xanthoxalis bushii Small — S, S13; > Xanthoxalis cymosa (Small) Small — S, S13; > Xanthoxalis interior Small — S13; > Xanthoxalis rufa Small — S, S13; > Xanthoxalis stricta (L.) Small — S, S13; Oxalis stricta L. Basionym: Oxalis stricta L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Oxalis stricta - FNA12
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: oxalis stricta, montezuma bluffs natural area, macon county, georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷Feedback
Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect-ascending (occasionally mat-forming) annual/short-lived perennial of disturbed areas; also found in a variety of natural habitats, including moist upland forests and floodplain forests.
Stems: Stems simple or branched from base; covered with sparse to dense, spreading and often closely pressed hairs.
Leaves: Leaves alternate; petiolate (hairy); divided into 3 clover-like, heart-shaped leaflets about 1/2 in. long each and often folded lengthwise along the midvein; nearly smooth above and smooth or slightly hairy beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in stalked, branching clusters of 3-15 from leaf axils and as tall as or slightly above leaves; yellow; about 1/2 in. wide; consisting of 5 spreading, oblong-lance-shaped petals, 5 sepals and 10 stamens.
Fruits: Fruit an erect, 5-sided cylindric capsule with sharp tip.
Comments:
Height: 6-20 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect-ascending (occasionally mat-forming) annual/short-lived perennial of disturbed areas; also found in a variety of natural habitats, including moist upland forests and floodplain forests.
stems: Stems simple or branched from base; covered with sparse to dense, spreading and often closely pressed hairs.
leaves: Leaves alternate; petiolate (hairy); divided into 3 clover-like, heart-shaped leaflets about 1/2 in. long each and often folded lengthwise along the midvein; nearly smooth above and smooth or slightly hairy beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in stalked, branching clusters of 3-15 from leaf axils and as tall as or slightly above leaves; yellow; about 1/2 in. wide; consisting of 5 spreading, oblong-lance-shaped petals, 5 sepals and 10 stamens.
fruits: Fruit an erect, 5-sided cylindric capsule with sharp tip.
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cultural notes:
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native range:
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