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Yellow Wood Sorrel

Oxalis strictafam. Fumariaceae
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Oxalis stricta (Yellow Wood Sorrel) — botanical photograph
Pl. 89B7 — Oxalis stricta
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Overview

Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is an annual plant belonging to the family Fumariaceae. Native to a wide range of regions including Alabama, Arkansas, British Columbia, China, Colorado, Connecticut, and parts of North America and Asia, this plant can be found from Canada to the southern United States and into Mexico. It thrives in light to full sun and prefers soil that is either dry or moist, with medium texture such as sandy or loamy conditions. Yellow Wood Sorrel is known for its edible leaves, flowers, roots, and seedpods, making it a valuable addition to gardens or natural settings. Its distinctive feature includes bright yellow clover-like foliage, which sets it apart from other plants. This plant can be cultivated for culinary use, with parts of the plant being harvested throughout the growing season. While Yellow Wood Sorrel is not medicinal, it does have ornamental and utility value as a dye source. However, it should be noted that this plant has weed potential in some areas due to its invasive nature. For cultivation, ensure well-draining soil capable of retaining moisture, and propagate through seeds for best results. This adaptable annual can grow up to 0.3 meters tall and is hardy in temperate regions.

Quick answers

What is Yellow Wood Sorrel?

Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is an annual plant belonging to the family Fumariaceae.

Compare with:Oxalis bifida→Iron Cross Plant→Oca→all comparisons →
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
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Cultivation

Yellow Wood Sorrel thrives in full sun and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions, making it adaptable to various soil types ranging from light (sandy) to medium. This annual plant grows up to 0.3 meters tall and is native to several regions including parts of North America and Asia. For cultivation, ensure the soil is well-draining but also capable of retaining some moisture. Propagate through seeds for best results. Harvest its edible leaves, flowers, roots, and seedpods throughout the growing season. This plant is hardy in temperate regions and can be found naturally in areas like Alabama, Arkansas, and parts of China.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Life cycle
Annual
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Yellow Wood Sorrel for the first time

8steps

Start with Yellow Wood Sorrel as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or young plants, small pots if starting indoors.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, ensuring containers have drainage holes.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds 1/2 inch deep; for transplants, space young plants about 8 inches apart.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide light shade if direct sun is intense.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune back any yellowing leaves to encourage new growth; harvest young leaves and flowers for use in salads.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in heavy soil, not providing enough light, neglecting to mulch.

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Edible & utility

Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootSeedpod
Edible uses: Drink
Other uses:Dye
Contextrange · companions · related
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Distribution

56 native · 50 introduced
Distribution across3 continents· 56 native· 50 introduced
Europe24 regions
native (1)Russia
introduced (23)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia5 regions
native (4)ChinaGeorgiaJapanSouth Korea
introduced (1)Kazakhstan
Africa2 regions
introduced (2)EthiopiaTunisia
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Arkansas, British Columbia, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
introduced:Amur, Arizona, Baltic States, Bermuda, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., Khabarovsk, Montana, New Mexico, New South Wales, Nova Scotia, Primorye, Queensland, Sakhalin, Victoria, Washington, Wyoming, Yugoslavia
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Specimen gallery

1 image
Oxalis stricta (Yellow Wood Sorrel) — botanical photograph
Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta)
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See also

5 related

Plants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Fumariaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.

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Explore further

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About this entry

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