Common Australian Garden Weeds

Oxalis corniculata

Scientific name: Oxalis corniculata L.


Habit of creeping oxalis (Oxalis corniculata).


The leaves creeping oxalis are compound and have three heart-shaped leaflets.


Close-up of a creeping oxalis flower.


Young creeping oxalis plant.

Synonym: Oxalis repens Thunb.

Common names: Creeping oxalis, yellow wood-sorrel

Family: Oxalidaceae

Origin:

Native of Europe.

Habit:

Perennial herb with prostrate, creeping stems and a woody tap root.

Habitat:

Weed of tended areas.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems are prostrate lying on the surface of the soil. A taproot may develop but it does not become stout or woody. Leaves are compound with three heart-shaped leaflets like a clover leaf, 0.5-1.8 × 0.8-2.3 cm. leaves have petioles (leaf stalks) 1-8 cm long.

Flowers and fruit

Flowers are yellow, funnel-shaped with 5 petals 4-10 mm long. Flowers are borne singly or in clusters of 2-7. The fruits are cylindrical capsules 1-2.5 cm long.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Small creeping perennial herb with small clover-like leaves and yellow funnel-shaped flowers with 5 petals.

Noxious status:

All species of Oxalis are declared noxious in Western Australia and Tasmania.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Anonymous. (2000). Noxious Weed List for Australian States and Territories. Prepared by the National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.