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Oxalis corniculata - L.

Common Name Yellow Sorrel, Creeping woodsorrel
Family Oxalidaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The leaves contain oxalic acid, which gives them their sharp flavour. Perfectly all right in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since oxalic acid can bind up the body's supply of calcium leading to nutritional deficiency. The quantity of oxalic acid will be reduced if the leaves are cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].
Habitats Arable land and waste places, it is a common garden weed[9, 17] where it tends to become especially troublesome in pots of plants growing in greenhouses etc[200].
Range Original habitat is obscure, it is naturalized in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Oxalis corniculata Yellow Sorrel, Creeping woodsorrel


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oxalis_corniculata_Sturm10.jpg
Oxalis corniculata Yellow Sorrel, Creeping woodsorrel
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Dalgial

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Oxalis corniculata is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

O. repens.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses: Gum

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 46, 61, 105]. Added to salads, cooked as a potherb with other milder flavoured greens or used to give a sour flavour to other foods[183]. The leaves are available all year round unless the winter is very cold, they have a pleasantly sour taste[114], but are very small and fiddly to harvest[K]. The leaves contain about 86% water, 2.3% protein, 0.8% fat, 8.2% carbohydrate, 150mg calcium, 78mg phosphorus, 8mg iron, 0.6mg niacin, 78mg vitamin C, 6050µg beta carotene[173]. The leaves contain between 7 - 12% oxalate[218]. Use in moderation, see notes at top of sheet, Flowers - raw. A nice acid flavour and a pleasant addition to the salad bowl[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Antiphlogistic  Antiscorbutic  Astringent  Depurative  Diuretic  Emmenagogue  Febrifuge  
Lithontripic  Miscellany  Stomachic  Styptic  Urinary  Vitamin C

The whole plant is anthelmintic, antiphlogistic, astringent, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, lithontripic, stomachic and styptic[147, 178, 218, 240]. It is used in the treatment of influenza, fever, urinary tract infections, enteritis, diarrhoea, traumatic injuries, sprains and poisonous snake bites[147]. The juice of the plant, mixed with butter, is applied to muscular swellings, boils and pimples[272]. An infusion can be used as a wash to rid children of hookworms[257]. The plant is a good source of vitamin C and is used as an antiscorbutic in the treatment of scurvy[240]. The leaves are used as an antidote to poisoning by the seeds of Datura spp, arsenic and mercury[218]. The leaf juice is applied to insect bites, burns and skin eruptions[218]. It has an antibacterial activity[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Gum  Miscellany

A slimy substance collects in the mouth when the leaves are chewed, this is used by magicians to protect the mouth when they eat glass[114]. Yellow, orange and red to brown dyes are obtained from the flowers[168]. The boiled whole plant yields a yellow dye[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, succeeding in a sandy soil in a warm dry position[1]. It prefers dry open habitats[50]. Spreading rapidly by seed and underground bulbils, this species can quickly become a nuisance, it is a common weed of pot plants in nurseries[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame. This plant does not need any encouragement.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Oxalis acetosellaWood SorrelPerennial0.1 3-7 FLMHFSNM323
Oxalis adenophyllaSauer KleePerennial0.2 4-8  LMHSNM00 
Oxalis articulataPink SorrelPerennial0.2 7-10  LMNM30 
Oxalis barrelieriBarrelier's woodsorrelPerennial0.0 0-0  LMNDM20 
Oxalis bifida Bulb0.3 8-11  LMNDM20 
Oxalis corymbosaLilac Oxalis, Pink woodsorrelPerennial0.2 7-10  LMHNDM20 
Oxalis deppeiIron Cross PlantBulb0.3 7-10  LMNM40 
Oxalis enneaphyllaScurvy GrassPerennial0.1 5-9  LMNDM20 
Oxalis europaea Annual/Perennial0.4 -  LMNDM20 
Oxalis exilisLeast Yellow Sorrel, Shady woodsorrelAnnual/Perennial0.1 4-8  LMHNDM22 
Oxalis frutescensShrubby woodsorrelPerennial0.0 0-0  LMNDM20 
Oxalis grandisGreat Yellow WoodsorrelAnnual/Perennial0.2 5-7 FLMHFSM211
Oxalis lasiandra Perennial0.3 8-11  LMSNM00 
Oxalis magellanica Perennial0.0 5-9  LMSNDM20 
Oxalis montanaMountain Wood SorrelPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHSM201
Oxalis oreganaRedwood SorrelPerennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSNM313
Oxalis pes-capraeBermuda ButtercupPerennial0.2 8-11  LMNDM20 
Oxalis strictaYellow Wood Sorrel, Common yellow oxalis, Common Yellow Wood Sorrel, OxalisAnnual0.3 0-0 FLMNDM211
Oxalis tetraphylla Perennial0.1 7-10  LMNDM303
Oxalis triangularisOxalisPerennial0.2 10-11 MLMSNDM30 
Oxalis tuberosaOcaPerennial0.5 6-9  LMNM50 
Oxalis violaceaViolet Wood SorrelBulb0.3 4-8  LMHSNDM31 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Miranda Hodgson   Mon Feb 28 09:48:38 2005

Very invasive in gardens. I've found that it can be controlled, to some extent, by passing a flame over the plant before it flowers. This seems a lot more effective than trying to weed it out.

Marjorie   Mon Nov 28 2005

What I am looking for is the wild shamrock. It is about an inch tall but a weed. I am looking for it for a ground cover.

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