COMMON NAMES: Creeping Woodsorrel / Procumbent Yellow Sorrel / Sleeping Beauty
FAMILY: Oxalidaceae (Wood Sorrel Family)
"Oxalis" - Greek for "sour"
The origins of this plant are unknown, but it is believed to be an "Old World" plant. It is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial whose noted feature are its tri-lobed leaves which closely resemble that of a clover. Leaves often close and fold downward in intense light and at night.
While Oxalis corniculata var. atropururea is recognized by its purple-hued leaves there are some varieties of Oxalis corniculata that are green.
Propagation of this plant can be achieved by its narrow creeping stems readily rooting at nodes.
The plant also produces cylindrical capsules of 1-2cm in size,which are explosive on contact, sending seeds (1mm in size) up to 10 feet away (or more!) from the parent plant. One plant can have the potential for producing up to 5,000 seeds! Seeds are rough and can stick to machinery, plastic pots and clothing.
Though this plant is known to bloom heavily in Spring, it can grow and bloom at any time of the year, and once established become very competitive with landscape plants - particularly in ground covers. Due to its vigorous growing habits, Oxalis corniculata has also been known to displace native plants.
In mild cases this weed can be controlled via mechanical removal (hand weeding, hoeing) if plants are removed before they bloom and/or go to seed. Oxalis corniculata seeds require light to germinate so regular mulching will also assist with control. In extreme cases of infestation, re-landscaping the site may be required (aka pull out & start over again!).
The leaves of this plant are quite edible and have a tangy taste of lemons. In fact they are rich in Vitamin C - but take caution as if eaten in large quantities it can disrupt the calcium absorption by the body. It has been recorded that livestock which had eaten large quantities of this plant sickened or even died as a result of oxalate poisoning.
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