Creeping woodsorrel is in the Oxalidaceae family. It is considered a weed in many turf and garden areas. It grows best in spring or fall in warmer climates but plants will be present year-round. These plants are annual or perennial, spreading by rhizomes and stolon, as well as by seeds. Seeds are forcefully expelled up to 16 feet away out of cylindrical seed pods, much like Impatiens spp. Seeds have no dormancy and may germinate quickly. Flowers are bright yellow. Identifying characteristics include: heart-shaped leaflets on trifoliolate leaves and cylindrical seed pods. Management of Oxalis corniculata L.: Sanitation is critical in controlling woodsorrel in container plants, especially in propagation areas. Do not let plants go to seed. Inspect all new plant materials before planting for infestations of this weed. Woodsorrel from seed is well managed by most preemergence herbicides. Once established it is nearly impossible to completely remove woodsorrel rhizomes and stolons. More information on Oxalis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 0 ft. 2 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Obovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Unlike similar Oxalis species, the leaves grow alternately on long creeping stolons. The heart-shaped trifolate leaves can be either green or purple. May have some pubescence.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Edible
Flower form
Cyme; Umbel
Flower shape
Funnel; Saucer; Trumpet
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small, 5-parted yellow flowers with a lemony flavor.
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Tapered capsules that burst open to fling seeds when ripe. Unripe fruits have a tart flavor.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
This species has stolons that creep above and underground.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts various bees, butterflies, birds, and mammals.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Moths; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #herbaceous perennial #food source herbage #food source nectar #food source hard mast fruit #perennial #annual #wildflower #weedy
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses; Weedy
All parts of the plant have toxic potential, although the possibility of serious effects is usually limited to ingestions of large quantities. Consuming Oxalis species can produce colic in horses, and kidney failure is possible if significant amounts are eaten.