Oxalis corniculata, the creeping woodsorrel, procumbent yellow sorrel or sleeping beauty, is a somewhat delicate-appearing, low-growing herbaceous plant in the family Oxalidaceae.
Oxalis corniculata is a small creeping type of woodsorrel that tends to grow well in moist climates. It resembles the common yellow woodsorrel, Oxalis stricta.
Description
Stems with leaf stalk and side leaf (inconspicuous stipules at the base of each petiole are visible too)
Trifoliate leaf of Oxalis corniculata
It has a narrow, creeping stem that easily takes root at the nodes. Its trifoliate leaves are subdivided into three rounded leaflets, resembling a clover. Some varieties have green leaves, while others, such as Oxalis corniculata var. atropurpurea, have purple leaves. There are inconspicuous stipules at the base of each petiole. The small, yellow flowers have either round-edged or sharp-ended petals. The flowers close when the plant is not within direct sunlight, hence the name "sleeping beauty". Some specimens can have a single flower while others can have over 20.
Fruits of Oxalis corniculata
Pollen of Oxalis corniculata
Matured seed of Oxalis corniculata
Mature (brown) and immature (white) seeds of Oxalis corniculata
Oxalis corniculata plant on moist soil
The fruit is a narrow, cylindrical capsule, 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) long, and noteworthy for its explosive discharge of the contained seeds, 1 mm (0.04 in) long. Pollen is about 34 microns in diameter.
Taxonomy
Oxalis corniculata was given its scientific name by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It is classified in the genus Oxalis and within the family Oxalidaceae. It has no accepted varieties, but has many among its 96 synonyms.
Table of Synonyms
Name
Year
Rank
Notes
Acetosella corniculata (L.) Kuntze
1891
species
≡ hom.
Acetosella corniculata var. subglabra Kuntze
1891
variety
= het.
Acetosella corniculata var. villosa (M.Bieb.) Kuntze
1891
variety
= het.
Acetosella herpestica (Schltdl.)...
