How to identify Wood sorrels (Oxalis)

Photo By Elliot Greiner , used under CC-BY /Cropped and compressed from original

How to identify Wood sorrels (Oxalis)

Wood sorrels represents a genus of herbaceous plants demonstrating a remarkable diversity in form but unified by certain characteristics. The foliage is distinctly clover-like, comprising of tripartite leaflets borne upon slender, elongated stalks that can vary in height. Adorning wood sorrels are its charming flowers, each with five petals that may be encountered in shades of white, yellow, lavender, or rose. These blooms display a behavioral trait, folding closed when darkness descends. Upon maturity, wood sorrels's reproductive efforts culminate in the production of a capsular fruit.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Wood sorrels

Distinct clover-like foliage with tripartite leaflets on elongated stalks.

Diurnal flowers with five symmetrical petals in colors like white and lavender.

Explosive capsule fruit, 0.2-0.5 inches (5-13 mm), releasing seeds vigorously.

Bright green leaves with obovate, notched leaflets showcasing a purple hue.

Flowers bloom late spring-early summer, measuring 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) in diameter.

Detailed Traits of Wood sorrels

Leaf Features

The bright green leaves of wood sorrels are long-stalked and composed of three clover-like leaflets. Each leaflet is obovate with a distinctive notch at the top, typically measuring about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length and 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) in width. The surface is smooth with a light vein pattern. Some cultivars feature a striking purple hue, adding to their ornamental appeal. The leaves' unique shape and coloration make them easily identifiable.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of wood sorrels are characterized by their five-parted structure, typically exhibiting a range of colors including pink, yellow, white, and purple. Each flower is composed of five distinct petals arranged symmetrically, creating a star-like appearance. They measure approximately 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) in diameter. Noteworthy is their diurnal behavior, as they close at night and reopen during daylight hours. The flowers usually bloom from late spring to early summer and may emit a light, pleasant fragrance.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of wood sorrels is a distinctive capsule known for its explosive dehiscence upon maturation. Rounded and comprised of multiple segments, it measures approximately 0.2 to 0.5 inches (5 to 13 mm) in size. When ripe, the capsule bursts open forcefully, projecting seeds away from the parent plant. This mechanism facilitates seed dispersal. The surface of the capsule is typically smooth with a green to brown hue that transitions with age. As a noteworthy trait, the fruit's sudden release of seeds can be triggered by touch or environmental factors.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Identify Wood sorrels easily and quickly

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