Procumbent Yellow Sorrel is a
non-native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in cropland and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 10cm.
Procumbent Yellow Sorrel, thought to be a native of Southeast Asia, was introduced into the UK by the mid-seventeenth century. The name 'Procumbent' indicates a creeping growth habit but without rooting (in contrast to plants that spread out using rooting 'stolons'). The name 'Sorrel' denotes a sour-tasting plant, owing to the presence of oxalic acid. Procumbent Yellow Sorrel is a short plant with clover-like dull-green leaves, which turn red as they mature.
Botanic classification and naming: Procumbent Yellow Sorrel is a member of the Wood Sorrel (Oxalidaceae) family. The genus name
'Oxalis' identifies the plant as a Wood Sorrel and its species name 'corniculata' means 'horned plant'.
Concerns: Procumbent Yellow Sorrel can be a persistent garden weed once established. It has deep taproots and ejects its seeds at force, spreading them widely.
|