Oxalis acetosella
| Common wood sorrel | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Oxalidales |
| Family: | Oxalidaceae |
| Genus: | Oxalis |
| Species: | O. acetosella
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oxalis acetosella | |
Oxalis acetosella, the wood sorrel or common wood sorrel, is a rhizomatous flowering plant in the family Oxalidaceae. The specific epithet acetosella refers to its sour taste. The common name wood sorrel is often used for other plants in the genus Oxalis.
In much of its range, most of Europe and parts of Asia, it is the only member of its genus and hence simply known as the wood sorrel.[citation needed] While 'common wood sorrel' may be used to differentiate it from most other species, this name is also used for North America's Oxalis montana.
Description
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The plant grows up to 10 centimetres (4 in) tall.[1] It has trifoliate compound leaves, the leaflets heart-shaped and folded through the middle, that occur in groups of three on the long petioles. Appearing atop the thin stems from spring to midsummer are small open-faced flowers with five petals which are white with reddish venation. The flowers rarely appear reddish or mauve.[2]: 116 During the night or when it rains, the flowers close and the leaves fold.
Similar species
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Anemonoides nemorosa (wood anemone) is similar. Both have white flowers, are small, and are found in woody shady places. Anemonoides nemorosa however has palmately lobed leaves and does not have true petals but large sepals which are petal-like.[3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]It grows in woods and shady places in the Northern Hemisphere.[2] It is commonly found in Great Britain[2] and Ireland.[4]
Uses
[edit]As with other species of wood sorrel, the leaves are sometimes eaten by humans, but are high in oxalic acid.[1] An oxalate called "sal acetosella" was formerly extracted from the plant by boiling it.
In culture
[edit]The common wood sorrel is sometimes referred to as a shamrock and given as a gift on Saint Patrick's Day. This is due to its trifoliate clover-like leaf, and to early references to shamrock being eaten. Despite this, it is generally accepted that the plant described as "true" shamrock is a species of clover, usually lesser clover (Trifolium dubium).
Common wood sorrel is also known as Alleluia because it blossoms between Easter and Pentecost, when the Psalms which end with Hallelujah are sung.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Francis-Baker, Tiffany (2021). Concise Foraging Guide. The Wildlife Trusts. London: Bloomsbury. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-4729-8474-6.
- ^ a b c Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg E.F. 1968. Excursion Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0 521 04656 4
- ^ Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN 978-185918-4783
- ^ Scannell, M.J.P. and Synnott, D.M. 1972 Census Catalogue of the Flora of Ireland Dublin Paperback. Stationery Office. ASIN: B0006CRR94 pp 127
External links
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- Giftpflanzen.com — Waldsauerklee (in German)
- oxalis-acetosella.com — Oxalis acetosella (in German)