Yellow Wood-sorrel
Oxalis stricta
In a shady ravine near Washington Park, Gila Co., Arizona. 18 May 2013.
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FLOWERS:
Bright yellow flowers with five free petals on a long stem (peduncle).
LEAVES: The heart-shaped leaflets are three to each leaf; these may be folded when weather is cold.
The leaves are tart due to presence of oxalic acid, which in quantity is toxic to people.
PERENNIAL: Leaves and flowering stems are entirely herbaceous above ground from perennial underground roots/stems. Plants mostly less than 30 cm tall/long.
RANGE: Common in sunny, partially open habitats in the East and Midwest but in Arizona mostly restricted to shady ravines in
the conifer woodlands.
FRUIT: Upright, fleshy capsules pop open with some force as they mature and dry.
UNARMED.
Oxalidaceae -- Wood-Sorrel Family
More Information:
- Southwest Environmental Information Network
- Wikipedia
- USDA Plant Profile
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search