# Oxalis

Oxalis, also known as wood sorrel, is a cheerful little flower that often has pretty, heart-shaped leaves. It can be found in gardens and meadows, bringing a splash of color to nature.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and meadows

![Oxalis](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gj%C3%B8kesyre_%28548729984%29.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Randi Hausken from Bærum, Norway, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gj%C3%B8kesyre_%28548729984%29.jpg)

## Appearance

The Oxalis genus features plants with distinctive clover-like leaves, often heart-shaped and grouped in three. Its delicate flowers bloom in various shades of pink, yellow, white, or purple. It differs from true clover (Trifolium) by its distinctly folded, heart-shaped leaflets.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Oxalidales
- **Family:** Oxalidaceae
- **Genus:** Oxalis

## Interesting facts

- One Oxalis, called Oca, has yummy root tubers that people eat like potatoes!
- Some Oxalis leaves have patterns or purple undersides, making them super beautiful.
- The name "Oxalis" comes from a Greek word meaning "sour," describing its tangy taste!
- There are over 800 different kinds of Oxalis found all around the world!

## Special abilities

- **Sleepy Leaves:** Oxalis can fold its leaves down at night or in bright sun to protect itself and conserve water.
- **Seed Popper:** Some Oxalis can forcefully launch their tiny seeds, helping them spread quickly to new spots.
- **Flavorful Defense:** Oxalis has oxalic acid in its leaves, giving it a sour taste that deters hungry animals.
- **Hidden Stores:** Many Oxalis species grow small bulbs or rhizomes underground, storing energy to survive harsh conditions.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-30 cm
- **Spread:** 10-40 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring, Summer, Fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — collects nectar and pollen
- **Eaten by:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — grazes on leaves and stems
- **Eaten by:** [Garden Snail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-snail) (*Helix aspersa*) — feeds on leaves and young shoots

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes.

## 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 Oxalis?

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 Oxalis?

5-30 cm

### How wide does Oxalis spread?

10-40 cm

### How big are the flowers on Oxalis?

0.5-2 cm

### When does Oxalis bloom?

Spring, Summer, Fall

### Is Oxalis edible?

Yes

### Is Oxalis toxic?

Mild

### What is Oxalis's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Vista Meadows Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/vista-meadows-park) — California, US · Park

## 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*)

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Source: [Oxalis: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oxalis)