Yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta) is an herbaceous perennial common in greenhouse and turf situations. It is most recognizable due to the heart-shaped leaflets that are found three to a leaf. The plant has a shallow taproot, and hairy stems that are 4 to 10 inches tall. Flowers are bright yellow, have five petals, and bloom in early spring (March to April). The fruit is a narrow capsule ¹⁄₂ to 1 inch long. The supporting stalk bends just below the capsule.

Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • perennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • upright, but very low-growing plant
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • three
• LEAF MARGIN
  • smooth
• LEAF HAIRS
  • none
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • heart / kidney / spade; partly folded
    Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8
• LEAF WIDTH
  • ¹⁄₂ - 1 inch
• LEAF VENATION
  • pinnate
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate
• ROOT TYPE
  • fibrous; note the extensive rhizomes associated with this plant
• FLOWER COLOR
  • yellow
    Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13

Figure 1. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

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Figure 1. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

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Figure 2. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

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Figure 2. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

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Figure 3. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

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Figure 3. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

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Figure 4. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

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Figure 4. Yellow woodsorrel growth habit.

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Figure 5. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

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Figure 5. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

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Figure 6. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

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Figure 6. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

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Figure 7. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

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Figure 7. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

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Figure 8. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

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Figure 8. Yellow woodsorrel leaflet shape.

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Figure 9. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 9. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 10. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 10. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 11. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 11. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 12. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 12. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 13. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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Figure 13. Yellow woodsorrel flower color.

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