Creeping Woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata)
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Common names: Creeping Woodsorrel, Sleeping Beauty, Procumbent Yellow Sorrel
Taxonomic name: Oxalis corniculata
Family: Oxalidaceae
Uses: Food
Area of origin: South East Asia
Warnings: Contains Oxalic acid which can cause a reaction in some people.
Oxalis corniculata or Creeping Woodsorrel is a common plant in pots and garden beds. It seems to make itself very much at home in potting mix.
A lot of folks don’t like it because ‘it’s a weed! ‘ but it’s not to me, it’s a tasty snack.
It’s an Oxalis, so contains Oxalic Acid which gives it a bit of a bite. It’s not as strong a taste as other relatives in the Oxalis genus such as Soursobs but then again, everything about it is smaller and more delicate.
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My favourite part is the green seed pods which, at 1-2 cms in length, seem quite oversized for such a tiny plant. Pick them off and have a tangy munch.
Interestingly, these seed pods are known for something else. They explode when ripe – loud enough to be heard from around the garden! Again, something you may not think of when you see such a delicate plant.
Creeping Woodsorrel is full of surprises!