European wood-sorrel
ExplorePlants
European wood-sorrel
Oxalis acetosella
European wood-sorrel is a small plant with heart-shaped leaves and pretty white or pink flowers. It grows in shady forests and is often found in groups, making the ground look like a green carpet!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The European wood-sorrel has delicate, clover-like leaves, each with three heart-shaped leaflets. Its small, bell-shaped flowers are typically white, sometimes tinged with pink or lilac, and distinctively marked with fine purple or violet veins.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderOxalidalesFamilyOxalidaceaeGenusOxalis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Bumblebees love its nectar, helping the plant grow new seeds.
If you find a four-leaf wood-sorrel, it's considered very lucky!
Its Latin name, 'acetosella', means 'a little sour', just like its taste!
Some people call it 'fairy bells' because of its dainty, hanging white flowers.
Special abilities
Ability
Sleepy Leaves
European wood-sorrel can fold its leaves down at night or in harsh sun, protecting itself from cold or excessive light.
Ability
Exploding Seeds
European wood-sorrel has seed pods that explosively eject tiny seeds when ripe, helping it spread far and wide.
Ability
Underground Network
European wood-sorrel forms an underground network of rhizomes, allowing it to rapidly spread and colonize new areas.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-15 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
visits flowers for nectar
eaten by
Roe deer
Capreolus capreolus
browses on its leaves
shelters
European beech
Fagus sylvatica
thrives in its shade
shelters
English oak
Quercus robur
grows under its canopy
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always check with an adult before touching or tasting plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is European wood-sorrel?
5-15 cm
How wide does European wood-sorrel spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on European wood-sorrel?
1-2 cm
When does European wood-sorrel bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is European wood-sorrel edible?
Yes
Is European wood-sorrel toxic?
Mild
What is European wood-sorrel's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is European wood-sorrel pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
