# Creeping Woodsorrel (*Oxalis corniculata*) Creeping Woodsorrel is a small plant with pretty green leaves that look like little hearts. It often grows close to the ground and can have bright yellow flowers that bloom in sunny spots. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Creeping Woodsorrel](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Larval_Host_Plant_%28Oxalis_corniculata%29_of_Pseudozizeeria_maha_%28Kollar%252C_%281844%29%29_%E2%80%93_Pale_Grass_Blue.jpg&width=800) Photo: Butterflyrajib, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Larval_Host_Plant_%28Oxalis_corniculata%29_of_Pseudozizeeria_maha_%28Kollar%252C_%281844%29%29_%E2%80%93_Pale_Grass_Blue.jpg) ## Appearance The Creeping Woodsorrel has small, heart-shaped, clover-like leaves, often purplish-green. Its tiny, five-petaled yellow flowers grow in clusters. It forms low, spreading mats, distinct from actual clover by its unique seed pods. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Oxalidales - **Family:** Oxalidaceae - **Genus:** Oxalis ## Interesting facts - Its seeds can be launched like tiny rockets, flying up to 10 feet away! - The leaves taste sour, like a lemon, because they contain oxalic acid! - This plant closes its leaves at night, almost like it's going to sleep! - You might find it growing out of cracks in sidewalks, it's super tough! ## Special abilities - **Seed Shooter:** Creeping Woodsorrel can launch its seeds with tiny exploding pods, flinging them far to find new places to grow. - **Sleepy Leaves:** Creeping Woodsorrel has leaves that fold up at night or in harsh sun, protecting themselves from stress. - **Root Runner:** Creeping Woodsorrel can spread quickly with creeping stems that root along the ground, helping it cover new areas. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-30 cm - **Spread:** 10-50 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring-autumn - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen - **Eaten by:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — eats leaves in small quantities - **Eaten by:** Black cutworm (*Agrotis ipsilon*) — larvae chew on leaves and stems ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before touching or tasting plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Creeping Woodsorrel? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Creeping Woodsorrel? 5-30 cm ### How wide does Creeping Woodsorrel spread? 10-50 cm ### How big are the flowers on Creeping Woodsorrel? 0.5-1 cm ### When does Creeping Woodsorrel bloom? Spring-autumn ### Is Creeping Woodsorrel edible? Yes ### Is Creeping Woodsorrel toxic? Mild ### What is Creeping Woodsorrel's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Brewton Historic Commercial District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brewton-historic-commercial-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Harriman Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harriman-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Bryn Athyn Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bryn-athyn-historic-district) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic District - [Point Breeze](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-breeze) — New Jersey, US · Campus [View all places to see Creeping Woodsorrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/creeping-woodsorrel) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Creeping Woodsorrel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-woodsorrel)