Yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is a common plant in North America — growing along roadsides, waste places and in cultivated gardens (where it’s usually not wanted). The above photo shows its compound leaves with three heart-shaped leaflets, along with some flower buds.
Here’s a closer view of a flower bud on the left and an open flower on the right.
Seed capsules have five ridges which create the five-sided capsule. Yellow wood sorrel’s seed capsules point upwards.
After the seed capsules mature and dry out, they split open to shoot their seeds some distance from the parent plant.
Watch this video about Yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta) to learn more about the plant’s life cycle and to see a close view of its tiny seeds.
Wonderful presentation!
Is there anything good about Oxalis? Can it be incorporated into the soil to decompose, does it fix nitrogen, does it attract bees?
It is edible. The seed pods, in particular, are fun to eat for their zing of sharp taste.