Creeping Woodsorrel

(Oxalis corniculata)

Creeping Woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Oxalis corniculata, commonly known as Creeping Woodsorrel, is a deciduous perennial herb native to Southeast Asia. It typically forms a low, mat-like ground cover with slender, creeping stems that root at the nodes. The trifoliate leaves are composed of three heart-shaped leaflets that resemble clover and can vary in color from green to purple, particularly in the variety Oxalis corniculata var. atropurpurea. The small, yellow, five-petaled flowers are quite showy and close in the absence of direct sunlight. Flowering occurs throughout the warm months, and the plant can produce a single flower or clusters of up to 20. The fruit is a cylindrical capsule that explosively disperses tiny seeds, an adaptation for seed dispersal.

Creeping Woodsorrel is valued for its ornamental foliage and its ability to cover ground quickly, making it suitable for use as a ground cover or in rock gardens. It is also used in culinary applications for its lemony-tasting leaves. This plant is easy to maintain, requiring part shade to full sun, and it tolerates a range of soil types with medium to fast drainage. However, it can be potentially invasive, spreading rapidly and outcompeting native vegetation. Gardeners should be cautious of its invasive potential and check local regulations before planting. In some regions, it is considered a weed due to its aggressive growth habits.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.2-0.7 feet
  • Width: 0.2-2.5 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Yellow
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Part Shade
  • Water: Low, Medium
  • Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance

Other Names

Common Names: Procumbent Yellow Sorrel, Ihi, Creeping Oxalis, Common Yellow Oxalis, Yellow Oxalis, Sleeping Beauty, Yellow Wood Sorrel, Yellow Procumbent Wood-Sorrel, Creeping Wood-Sorrel, Procumbent Yellow-Sorrel

Scientific Names: , Oxalis corniculata, Oxalis oregana var. smallii, Oxalis corniculata var. trichocaulon, Oxalis pubescens, Oxalis corniculata f. erecta, Xanthoxalis corniculata, Oxalis corniculata var. langloisii, Oxalis macra, Oxalis corniculata var. minor

GBIF Accepted Name: Oxalis corniculata L.