Wood sorrel, Sheep sorrel
Oxalis acetosella

Family: Oxalidaceae

What it is like

A low growing plant. It is 5-10 cm high. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are small and shamrock shaped. The leaves have 3 heart shaped leaflets. They are initially folded in the middle. The leaves fold up at night and in strong sun or heavy rain. The flowers have 5 petals and are white. The flowers are bell shaped and have fine purple veins. The seed husks are yellow.

There are about 500-800 Oxalis species. There are about 115 species in tropical America.

Where it is found

It is native to northern temperate regions. It grows in damp and shady places. It is often on forest floors. In Pakistan it grows in shady places between 1,200-2,500 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, NW India, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The leaves are added to salads. They are also used in soups and sauces. The dried leaves are used for tea. CAUTION: Because the leaves contain oxalic acid they should be eaten cautiously or cooked in several changes of water. The leaves can be used to curdle sheep's milk.

They are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Amrul, Asprini, Carnero, Chalmori, Chari amilo, Cuckoo bread, Eki yonca, Eksi yonca, European wood-sorrel, Gaukesyre, Irish shamrock, Janese hapuoblikas, Janese kapstad, Kapusta, Kikikapsas, Kiskio kopustai, Mountain wood sorrel, Muavela, Pa-i-vi, Pak huku, Pan de koutu, Saksamaa oblikad, Sour grass, Suurklee, Tarrago de monte, Trevol, Tuolaibaba, Zaeshki kiselets, Zaiachii klever, Zakskabenes, Zajacia detalinka, Zajackova kapusta, Zajeczy, Zayacha kapusta

Synonyms

Acetosella alba (D. Don) Kuntze; Oxalis acetosella subsp. montana (Raf.) Hulten; Oxalis alba Steud.; Oxalis americana Bigelow; Oxalis longiflora L.; Oxalis montana Raf; Oxalis nemoralis Salisb.; Oxalis taquerii R. Knuth; Oxalis vulgaris Gray; Oxys alba Lam.;