Oxalis acetosella,thewood sorrelorcommon wood sorrel,is arhizomatousflowering plantin the familyOxalidaceae,common in most ofEuropeand parts ofAsia.Thespecific epithetacetosellarefers to its sour taste. The common namewood sorrelis often used for other plants in the genusOxalis.In much of its range it is the only member of itsgenusand hence simply known as "the"wood sorrel.While common wood sorrel may be used to differentiate it from most other species ofOxalis,in North America,Oxalis montanais also called common wood sorrel. It is also known asAlleluiabecause it blossoms betweenEasterandPentecost,when thePsalmswhich end withHallelujahare sung.
| Common wood sorrel | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Oxalidales |
| Family: | Oxalidaceae |
| Genus: | Oxalis |
| Species: | O. acetosella
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| Binomial name | |
| Oxalis acetosella | |
Description
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The plant has trifoliate compoundleaves,the leaflets heart-shaped and folded through the middle, that occur in groups of three on petioles up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long. It flowers from spring to midsummer with small white open-facedflowerswith pink venation. Reddish or mauve flowers also occur rarely.[1]: 116 During the night or when it rains the flowers close and the leaves fold.
As with other species of wood sorrel, the leaves are sometimes eaten by humans. Anoxalatecalled "sal acetosella" was formerly extracted from the plant by boiling it.
Anemonoides nemorosa(wood anemone) is similar. Both have white flowers, are small, and are found in woody shady places.Anemonoides nemorosahowever has palmately lobed leaves and does not have true petals but large sepals which are petal-like.[2]
Habitat
editIt grows in woods and shady places in theNorthern Hemisphere.[1]
Distribution
editThe plant is commonly found in Great Britain[1]and Ireland.[3]
Note
editThe common wood sorrel is sometimes referred to as ashamrockand given as a gift onSaint Patrick's Day.This is due to its trifoliateclover-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 ofclover,usually lesser clover (Trifolium dubium).
References
edit- ^abcClapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg E.F. 1968.Excursion Flora of the British Isles.Cambridge University Press.ISBN0 521 04656 4
- ^Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012.Webb's An Irish Flora.Cork University Press.ISBN978-185918-4783
- ^Scannell, M.J.P. and Synnott, D.M. 1972Census Catalogue of the Flora of IrelandDublin Paperback. Stationery Office. ASIN: B0006CRR94 pp 127
External links
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- Giftpflanzen — Waldsauerklee(in German)
- oxalis-acetosella —Oxalis acetosella(in German)