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Oxalidaceae
Oxalis

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.

Glossary (beta!)

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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image of plant© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Cressler: oxalis stricta, montezuma bluffs natural area, macon county, georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

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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