Yellow Woodsorrel

-- Written By Fred Yelverton (Updated: October 10, 2022)

Description

Yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta) is an herbaceous perennial common in greenhouse and turf situations. It is most recognizable due to the heart-shaped leaflets that are found three to a leaf. The plant has a shallow taproot, and hairy stems that are 4 to 10 inches tall. Flowers are bright yellow, have five petals, and bloom in early spring (March to April). The fruit is a narrow capsule ¹⁄₂ to 1 inch long. The supporting stalk bends just below the capsule.

Cultural Control

Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.

Species Data

GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
- perennial weed
GROWTH HABIT
- upright, but very low-growing plant
  Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4
LEAFLET NUMBER
- three
LEAF MARGIN
- smooth
LEAF HAIRS
- none
LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
- heart / kidney / spade; partly folded
  Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8
LEAF WIDTH
- ¹⁄₂ - 1 inch
LEAF VENATION
- pinnate
LEAF ARRANGEMENT
- alternate
ROOT TYPE
- fibrous; note the extensive rhizomes associated with this plant
FLOWER COLOR
- yellow
  Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13

Yellow woodsorrel against black background with measurement markings — Figure 1. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

photo of yellow woodsorrel in soil (low-growing plant) — Figure 2. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

Yellow woodsorrel shown growing outdoors, low to to the ground — Figure 4. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

Yellow woodsorrel leaflet on black background with measurement markings — Figure 5. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

Several Yellow woodsorrel leaflets on black background with measurement markings — Figure 6. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

Yellow woodsorrel plant outdoors — Figure 7. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

Yellow woodsorrel with yellow flower against black background with measurement markings — Figure 9. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

Yellow woodsorrel outdoors with yellow flowers — Figure 10. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

This Extension publication can also be viewed at: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/yellow-woodsorrel