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Oxalis corniculata L.
| Family Name: | Oxalidaceae |
| Synonyms: | Acetosella procumbens, Oxalis repens |
| Common Name: | Yellow Wood Sorrel, Creeping Wood Sorrel, 酢浆草 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial, Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Origin uncertain. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual or short-lived perennial herb with creeping stems that become semi-erect. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Compound leaves are composed of heart-shaped leaflets (0.3-1.8 cm long, 0.4-2.3 cm wide) with the wider end near the tip. They are arranged alternately or in a whorl-like pattern. |
| Stems | The stem is covered to varying degrees with hairs that are pressed against the stem surface. |
| Flowers | About 1-5, bright yellow flowers are arranged in an umbel inflorescence. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules. They are cylindrical, 5-sided and covered in stiff hairs. Each compartment of the capsule contains 5-14 seeds. The seeds are brown to brownish red and ovoid-oblong (intermediate between egg-shaped and elongated). |
| Habitat | Yards, gardens, turf, landscape areas and greenhouse grounds and containers. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves Medicinal: In Chinese folk medicine, the plant is used to expel intestinal worms, promote urination and stem bleeding. In Indonesian folk medicine, it is used to reduce pain and fever, as well as treat dysentery. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Obcordate) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 998 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2292 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
