Thicket/ Creeping Yellow Wood Sorrel

COMMON NAME: Creeping Yellow Wood Sorrel

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Creeping Lady’s Sorrel

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Oxalis corniculata

FAMILY: Oxalidaceae

COMMUNITY: Thicket

STATUS: Native   

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: Creeping on soil

FLOWERING TIME: April to November

FRUITING TIME: May to late November

DISTRIBUTION: Many states in United States ~ Scattered in the Delaware and Raritan Valleys in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stems for a slender tap root, prostrate and often rooting at many nodes ~ Leaflets small, green, purple or bronze, clover-like—3 heart shaped leaflets ~ Flowers short (4-8 mm), yellow petals ~ Seed pendulous from axis, very small ~ Fruit in a capsule

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Oxalidaceae family commonly called the Wood-Sorrel family consists of 8 genera and 575 species of herbs, shrubs and a few trees; found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions.  These are the wood-sorrels to distinguish them from the field or meadow Sorrels (Rumex).  One Mexican species, Oxalis deppei, is cultivated for its edible tubers. There are about 20 species of Oxalis in the United States.  Some are attractive woodland plants but more are common weeds of moist open or semi open areas, waste places, roadsides, and fields.  Creeping Yellow Wood Sorrel is an invasive weed. The most abundant of these acid-tasting plants is common yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta).  A few species of wood sorrels have subterranean bulbs which are of some value to wildlife.  The succulent, three-leaflet leaves and minute seeds are also eaten by upland gamebirds, songbirds and small mammals. The family name (Oxalidaceae) and genus name (Oxalis) is from the Greek name for “sorrel” or “sour” oxys. The sour taste of the leaflets, when properly sweetened, make a refreshing cold drink.  The leaflets can also be added to a green salad.  Plants in this genus (Oxalis) are said to provide relief for digestive disorders.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.