Weed Yellow woodsorrel
Scientific Name Oxalis stricta
Family Woodsorrel family (Oxalidaceae)
Life Cycle Cool season perennial but may act as summer annual
Reproduction Method Reproduces by seed and occasionally stem pieces
Appearance Yellow woodsorrel emerges from a taproot and forms small, erect, bushy plants up to 20 inches tall. The stems are slender, gray-green, pubescent, slightly ascending, and branched at the base. They will occasionally root at nodes.
Leaves The leaves of yellow woodsorrel are alternate with three heart-shaped leaflets. They are pale green, up to 4/5 inch across with long petioles.
Flowers Yellow woodsorrel flowers are yellow with five petals. They are up to 1/2 inch across and borne at end of stems in clusters of one to four. The are borne during May to September.
Occurrence Yellow woodsorrel occurs in moist, open, fertile sites from mid spring to mid autumn. It seems to tolerate dry conditions when established.
Non Chemical Control To control yellow woodsorrel without chemicals, maintain turf density and health through proper culture. Mechanically remove or hand pull.
Chemical Control
Application Period Apply preemergence herbicides before germination in spring; use postemergence herbicides in mid spring to early summer and/or mid to late autumn during active growth.
Active Ingredient in Labeled Products

Preemergent

Postemergent

  • benefin
  • dithiopyr
  • isoxaben
  • oxadiazon
  • pendimethalin
  • prodiamine
  • trifluralin
  • bentazon
  • clopyralid
  • dicamba
  • MCPA
  • MCPP
  • triclopyr
Notes This weed is difficult to control.

(Click on Image to Enlarge and Sharpen Photograph)

Yellow woodsorrel immature

Yellow woodsorrel mature plant

Yellow woodsorrel seed pods

Yellow woodsorrel in turf

Yellow woodsorrel in turf - 2

Yellow woodsorrel seeds and pod

Confused?? Look-a-Likes Yellow woodsorrel is often times confused with black medic and white clover. Click here for further clarification.