Wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is a plant
that is found in woodland, under hedges, and on higher ground in many parts of
Great Britain.
It is a low-growing plant that reaches no
more than 6 inches (15 centimetres) in height, with leaf tufts emerging directly
from the rootstock. Each leaf has three leaflets that make it resemble a clover
leaf in shape, and it has been thought that this plant could be the origin of
the shamrock that is associated with the legend of St Patrick who used such a
plant to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. The leaflets fold down at
night.
Wood-sorrel flowers from May to August, the
flowers being white with mauve veins.
Wood-sorrel actually produces two different
types of flower. The first, which appears in spring, grows on long stalks and
droops at night. This produces lots of nectar, and is therefore attractive to
insects, but does not lead to the formation of many seeds. In summer,
wood-sorrel produces a large number of flowers on short stems but these only
open rarely. These flowers are self-pollinating and are the source of most of
the seeds that enable the plant to propagate.
Wood-sorrel has been used as a salad plant and
for making sauces. This is due to the sharp taste of the leaves that is due to
the presence of calcium oxalate.
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