# Wood Sorrel (*Oxalis stricta*)

Wood Sorrel has shamrock-shaped leaves and pretty little yellow flowers. It often grows in shady spots and is fun to find!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 3
- **Habitat:** Woodlands and gardens
- **Also known as:** Common Wood Sorrel, Yellow Wood Sorrel

![Wood Sorrel](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424428/objects/4961.jpg)

## Appearance

The Wood Sorrel has distinctive clover-like leaves, each made of three heart-shaped leaflets, often folding at night. Its tiny, five-petaled flowers are bright yellow, standing out against the green foliage on slender stalks, making it look different from true clover.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Ancient cultures sometimes used it to cool fevers or as a dye!
- Each seed pod explodes when touched, flinging seeds far away!
- Its leaves actually taste tangy, a bit like lemon candy!
- The leaves close up at night or when it's too hot!

## Special abilities

- **Exploding Seeds:** Wood Sorrel has seed pods that pop open when ripe or touched, flinging its tiny seeds far away to spread!
- **Sleeping Leaves:** Wood Sorrel can fold its heart-shaped leaves closed at night or during harsh sun to protect itself and conserve water.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-20 cm
- **Spread:** 10-30 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer munch on its leaves.
- **Eaten by:** [Eastern cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) — Rabbits often snack on its fresh foliage.
- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees visit its small yellow flowers for nectar.

## Traits

- [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.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Wood Sorrel?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Wood Sorrel?

5-20 cm

### How wide does Wood Sorrel spread?

10-30 cm

### How big are the flowers on Wood Sorrel?

0.5-1 cm

### When does Wood Sorrel bloom?

Spring to fall

### Is Wood Sorrel edible?

Yes

### Is Wood Sorrel toxic?

Mild

### What is Wood Sorrel's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Black Hawk State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-hawk-state-historic-site) — Illinois, US · Park
- [Cambridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cambridge-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District
- [Beverley Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/beverley-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District
- [Stuart Addition Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stuart-addition-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District
- [Alps Road Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alps-road-park) — New Jersey, US · Park

[View all places to see Wood Sorrel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/wood-sorrel)

## 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: [Wood Sorrel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wood-sorrel)