How to identify Great yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis grandis)

Photo By rcurtis , used under CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

How to identify Great yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis grandis)

Great yellow woodsorrel appears as a delicate herb that may grow annually or persist as a perennial. It features notably long-stalked, trifoliate leaves, with each leaf divided into three distinct leaflets. The plant exhibits an attractive display of 5-parted flowers that can vary in color from white and yellow to shades of lavender and rose. After flowering, it produces a capsular fruit, completing its reproductive cycle.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Quickly Identify Great yellow woodsorrel

Bright yellow 1-inch (2.5 cm) flowers with distinctive red marks at base.

Trifoliate leaves with inversely heart-shaped leaflets, each 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm).

Capsular fruit with tart unripe flavor, bursting open for seed dispersal.

Delicate herb with 5-parted flowers in white, yellow, lavender, or rose.

Smooth leaf surface with maroon-lined leaflets on long stalks.

Detailed Traits of Great yellow woodsorrel

Leaf Features

Great yellow woodsorrel has compound leaves consisting of three inversely heart-shaped leaflets that are each 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in length. The leaflets are edged with a thin maroon line, adding a distinctive touch. Each leaflet is long-stalked, giving the plant a unique appearance. The leaf surface is typically smooth, and the primary vein runs centrally, branching out into finer veins towards the edges. These key features make the leaves of great yellow woodsorrel easily recognizable.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of great yellow woodsorrel are characterized by their bright yellow petals, each reaching up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. They feature five distinct petals, each adorned with a subtle red mark at the base. Complemented by five sepals, these blossoms emit a delicate scent. They bloom primarily from May to June, adding a vibrant splash of color during this period. This specific marking and petal structure make them easily recognizable to plant enthusiasts.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of great yellow woodsorrel manifests as capsules that exhibit an ingenious seed dispersal mechanism. Upon reaching maturity, these capsules audaciously burst open, propelling seeds into the environment. Prior to this dramatic event, the unripe fruit offers a distinctly tart flavor when sampled. These capsules, while still attached to the plant, typically adopt a green hue that camouflages with the foliage, transitioning to a brownish or tan color as they desiccate and ready themselves for seed ejection. The exact dimensions of the capsules are not specified, but they are generally consistent with the diminutive nature of great yellow woodsorrel. This characteristic feature, along with the tartness of the unripe fruit, is a hallmark of great yellow woodsorrel, aiding in its field identification.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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