O. stricta spreads by rhizomes while O. corniculata spreads by stolons.
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Latin name: Oxalis
corniculata or O. stricta (click here to distinguish between the two
species, both commonly found in Oregon container nurseries). |
| Family: Oxalidaceae |
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Common name: Yellow
woodsorrel (O. stricta) or Creeping red sorrel (O. corniculata) |
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Life cycle: perennial,
spreads by seed, rhizome, or stolons |
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Habit: Small rounded
clump, 4 - 8 inches tall and wide; O. corniculata grows low
and more prostrate, while O. stricta is taller and more mounded. |
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Foliage: Palmately
compound with 3 heart-shaped leaflets. Reminiscent of 4-leaf
clover. |
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Flower: Flowers
are yellow with 5 petals and occur in an umbel (cluster). |
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Seed or seedpods:
Long, thin, angular, and pubescent (more so for O. corniculata). |
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Cotyledon or seedling:
Cotyledons are small and round. First true leaves are
typical trifoliate and heart-shaped. |
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Roots: Oxalis
develop deep, thick taproots which make this weed difficult to
hand pull from containers. O. stricta spreads by rhizomes while O. corniculata spreads by stolons. |
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Control: View 2004 herbicide trials for controlling this and other common container weeds. |
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Look alikes: Clovers,
black medic (Medicago lupulina). |