Upright Yellow Woodsorrel
Oxalis stricta
Also listed as Oxalis europaea, Oxalis fontana
Also known as Common Yellow Woodsorrel, Yellow Woodsorrel, Common Yellow Oxalis
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Upright yellow woodsorrel is a low-growing herbaceous perennial with clover-like foliage and small yellow flowers. Often considered a weed, it spreads readily by seed and self-sows prolifically in gardens.
Why grow it
Upright yellow woodsorrel tolerates poor soil and partial shade better than many other Oxalis species, making it useful for filling gaps in disturbed or marginal areas. Its low stature and fine texture contrast well with broader-leaved groundcovers in informal plantings. The plant flowers prolifically from spring through fall, providing consistent yellow color with minimal maintenance once established. Nearly every above-ground part, leaves, flowers, and young seed pods, is edible with a tangy, lemony flavor, best enjoyed in small amounts given its oxalic acid content, adding a foraging dimension beyond its groundcover role.
Watch out for
This species can overtake adjacent plantings if not managed, especially in loose, moist soil where seed germinates readily. Regular deadheading or mulching reduces unwanted seedlings in nearby beds. Growth tends to thin or decline in deep shade despite shade tolerance, so it performs best with at least dappled light.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Oxalidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Tropical Americas
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Upright yellow woodsorrel is a low-growing herbaceous perennial with clover-like foliage and small yellow flowers. Often considered a weed, it spreads readily by seed and self-sows prolifically in gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Upright Yellow Woodsorrel grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Upright yellow woodsorrel tolerates poor soil and partial shade better than many other Oxalis species, making it useful for filling gaps in disturbed or marginal areas. Its low stature and fine texture contrast well with broader-leaved groundcovers in informal plantings. The plant flowers prolifically from spring through fall, providing consistent yellow color with minimal maintenance once established. Nearly every above-ground part, leaves, flowers, and young seed pods, is edible with a tangy, lemony flavor, best enjoyed in small amounts given its oxalic acid content, adding a foraging dimension beyond its groundcover role.
Watch out for
This species can overtake adjacent plantings if not managed, especially in loose, moist soil where seed germinates readily. Regular deadheading or mulching reduces unwanted seedlings in nearby beds. Growth tends to thin or decline in deep shade despite shade tolerance, so it performs best with at least dappled light.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Oxalidaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Tropical Americas
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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