Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 9823072

Upright Yellow Woodsorrel

Oxalis stricta

Also known as Common Yellow Woodsorrel, Common Yellow Oxalis, Upright Yellow-Sorrel, Lemon Clover

Upright yellow woodsorrel is a delicate herb recognized by its three heart-shaped leaflets that fold downward at night and during rain. In late spring and summer, tiny five-petaled yellow flowers open on slender stalks, followed by erect seed pods that shoot seeds outward when mature. Found across lawns, fields, and garden beds, it provides nectar for solitary bees and serves as a larval host plant for small butterflies.

WildflowerYellow BloomWeedy
Upright Yellow Woodsorrel reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Caterpillars
  • Slugs
  • Aphids
ThreatsHerbicides, mechanical weeding
HabitatsLawns, garden beds, fields, disturbed soil
Life spanAnnual to short-lived perennial
Classification
  1. OrderOxalidales
  2. FamilyOxalidaceae
  3. GenusOxalis
  4. SpeciesOxalis stricta
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains oxalates toxic to pets in large quantities; avoid eating wild plants due to look-alikes.
Why it is dangerous
Contains soluble calcium oxalates that can cause gastrointestinal upset and kidney dysfunction in pets if eaten in large amounts.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognize by heart-shaped leaflets in sets of three and small five-petaled yellow blooms.
What to do
Prevent pets from grazing on dense patches and avoid consuming wild specimens.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Movement: Watch the heart-shaped leaflets fold downward at dusk or in heavy rain.
  • Seed Pods: Touch ripe, elongated seed capsules gently to witness explosive seed dispersal.
Related species
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