Acetosella corniculata
Yellow wood sorrel
Acetosella corniculata (syn. Oxalis corniculata), known as creeping wood sorrel or yellow wood sorrel, is a cosmopolitan herb of the family Oxalidaceae, native to North America and now naturalized on all continents except Antarctica. It is characterized by trifoliate leaves with cordate leaflets showing pronounced nyctinastic movement (folding at night), five-petaled yellow flowers, and cylindrical capsule fruits that expel seeds explosively. It is considered a minor weed in gardens and crops, but is also valued in traditional medicine and gastronomy for its pleasant sour taste.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Oxalidaceae |
| Genus | Acetosella |
| Growth Habit | Prostrate to ascending herb, annual or short-lived perennial, often rooting at nodes |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| pH Target | 5.0–7.5 |
| Type | Sandy-loam soils, moderately moist, with some organic matter; highly adaptable to garden soils and pots |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Alternate, trifoliate leaves, light green to purplish-red depending on the cultivar or sun exposure. Each leaflet is obcordate (inverted heart-shaped), 0.5–2 cm wide, with an emarginate apex. They display nyctinastic movement: folding downward at nightfall or under water stress. The taste is markedly sour due to potassium oxalate.
ecoActinomorphic flowers with 5 yellow petals with darker venation, 4–8 mm in diameter. Grouped in umbel-like cymes of 1–5 flowers on slender axillary peduncles. They are tristylous (heterostyly) to promote cross-pollination. Flowers open only in direct sunlight.
ecoSlender stems, prostrate to ascending, 5–35 cm long, softly pubescent. Nodes frequently contact the soil and produce adventitious roots, facilitating vegetative propagation. The stem base may become slightly lignified in perennial plants.
ecoFruit a cylindrical erect capsule, 1–2.5 cm long, with 5 longitudinal ridges. Upon maturity it opens explosively (elastic dehiscence), projecting up to 15 seeds up to 3 meters away. Seeds are ovoid, 1–1.5 mm, with transverse ridges.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Sandy-loam soils, moderately moist, with some organic matter; highly adaptable to garden soils and pots
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Collect capsules when fully mature (yellowish) before they open.
- 2 Place capsules in a paper bag and let dry; seeds will expel themselves.
- 3 Sow seeds superficially in moist, well-drained substrate at 15–22 °C.
- 4 Do not cover seeds; they need light to germinate.
- 5 Maintain consistent moisture; germination occurs in 7–14 days.
- 1 Cut a stem segment 5–8 cm long with at least 2 nodes.
- 2 Remove leaves from the lower node and place the cutting in water or directly in moist substrate.
- 3 If rooting in water, transplant when roots reach 1–2 cm.
- 4 Keep in semi-shade for the first 2 weeks to reduce transpiration.
Grow in pots with quality substrate to make expansion control easier, as it can become invasive in gardens.
Allowing capsules to mature and disperse freely, turning the plant into a difficult-to-control pest.
Annual for potted cultivars, or when the plant completely fills the container.
Light monthly fertilization with balanced fertilizer diluted to half-dose (NPK 10-10-10) during the active growing season (spring-summer). Suspend fertilization in autumn-winter. Excess nitrogen promotes vegetative growth at the expense of flowering.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Toxic in large quantities due to potassium oxalate content. Excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal irritation, hypocalcemia, and kidney damage in susceptible individuals. Contraindicated for those with a history of oxalate kidney stones. Typical culinary doses (small amounts of raw leaves) are safe for healthy adults. Can be toxic to cats, dogs, and poultry if consumed in large quantities.
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Plant Health
Powdery mildew (Erysiphe oxalidis): white powdery patches on the upper leaf surface in high-humidity and moderate-temperature conditions. Improve ventilation and apply micronized sulfur or potassium bicarbonate.
Red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae): in dry, warm environments it can colonize the underside of leaves, causing yellowing and defoliation. Increase ambient humidity and apply a specific miticide if the infestation is severe.
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV): causes chlorotic mosaic and leaf deformation. No cure; remove affected plants and control aphid vectors to prevent spread.
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"Oxalis corniculata (Acetosella corniculata) is one of the most cosmopolitan and persistent weeds in the world, present on all six inhabited continents. Its dispersal mechanism combining explosive capsule dehiscence with myrmecochory (seeds with an elaiosome attractive to ants) explains its remarkable invasive capacity. Pharmacological studies have validated its traditional antifungal use, attributing this activity to flavonoids such as isovitexin and oxalic acid."
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Scientific Integrity
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.