common yellow oxalis
Family
OxalidaceaeScientific Name
Oxalis stricta
Other Common Names:
sheep sorrel
sourgrass
toad sorrel
yellow woodsorrel
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Oxalis stricta var. Oxalis stricta var. villicaulis
Oxalis coloradensis
Xanthoxalis stricta
Oxalis interior
Xanthoxalis coloradensis
Xanthoxalis bushii
Ceratoxalis cymosa
Oxalis stricta var. piletocarpa
Oxalis cymosa
Xanthoxalis cymosa
Xanthoxalis dillenii var. piletocarpa
Xanthoxalis interior
Xanthoxalis rufa
Oxalis europaea
Ceratoxalis coloradensis
Oxalis bushii
Oxalis fontana
Oxalis stricta var. decumbens
Habit
This erect perennial can be found growing from mid spring to late autumn, flowering from May through September. Depending on the climate, it may also act as a summer annual.
Leaves
The leaves are composed of three leaflets growing on long petioles. The leaflets are heart shaped and are fringed with hair.
Identifying Characteristics
Stems can range from green to pink in color, and can also be smooth or hairy.
Flower Seed Head
The flowers are yellow with 5 petals. They grow in clusters of 1-4 on long stalks from the leaf axils.
Seed Fruit
The seeds grow in 5-sided, hairy, cylindrical seedpod resembling okra. When mature, the seedpods explode, throwing the seeds up to 13 feet away.
Where Found
This plant occurs in moist, fertile sites. Often found in lawns and roadsides.
Growth Habit
Varies:
upright and nonwoody,
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime,
nickle
Dominant Flower Color
yellow
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
heart
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
trifoliate
Leaf Stalk
longer than leaf
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb