Wood Sorrel
Oxalis acetosella
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Pl. 8D69 — Oxalis acetosella
Oxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosellaOxalis acetosella
IOverview
Overview
Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is a perennial plant native to the northern and central regions of Europe and Asia, as well as parts of North America. It thrives in moist, light soils ranging from sandy to clay and prefers a pH between 5 and 5.5. This plant can be found across various habitats including Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, and other countries listed above. Known for its edible leaves and flowers, Wood Sorrel is often used in salads or as a garnish due to its tangy taste. One distinctive feature of this plant is its heart-shaped leaves that fold up at night, a behavior known as nyctinasty.
Quick answers
What is Wood Sorrel?
Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is a perennial plant native to the northern and central regions of Europe and Asia, as well as parts of North America. It thrives in moist, light soils ranging from sandy to clay and prefers a pH between 5 and 5.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Wood Sorrel thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH of 5-5.5. It prefers partial shade to full sun and is hardy in temperate regions with zones 3-7. For propagation, use division or seed sowing. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. This perennial grows up to 0.1 meters tall and can be enjoyed for its edible leaves and flowers.
Light
4/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.1 m tall
Soil pH
5–5.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Wood Sorrel for the first time
8steps
Start with Wood Sorrel as a simple, low-maintenance perennial for your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
A small pot or planting area, seeds or young plants.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in early fall.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a well-draining soil mix with a pH of 5-5.5, ensuring it's light, medium, or heavy as needed.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground or start young plants indoors before transplanting.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Place in a partially shaded area.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light shade, especially from midday sun. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any dead leaves to encourage new growth and maintain a tidy appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, using incorrect soil pH.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeaves
Edible uses: Curdling agent
Other uses:CleanserGround cover
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Europe16 regions
native (16)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyRussiaUnited Kingdom
Asia2 regions
native (2)ChinaJapan
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia, Altay, Amur, Baltic States, Buryatiya, Czechoslovakia, Føroyar, Irkutsk, Kamchatka
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 8d69a964-2feb-4b3e-a3b3-f89feab5f217
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