Wood Sorrel

Description: The wood sorrel has delicate non-woody stems. The leaves are heart-shaped in sets of three. Three hearts meet at their points (see above). Each leaf has a crease down its center. Leaves can vary in color green/pink/purple. The leaves will open and close depending on Sun and harsh weather. The leaves are dull, not shiny. The flowers are small and have five yellow petals. They close in the evening and then open and the morning. The flowers develop into a five-sided pod that resembles tiny okra. Once the pods are dry they pop and eject the seeds. If you find the pods get the kids to give them a squeeze. It's fun!!

Edible Parts: The Leaves, stems pods, and seeds raw or cooked. Consider use for teas and "aids". The plant has a very clean sour-citrusy flavor.

Notes: People often confuse/misidentify wood sorrel as clover. Wood Sorrel has a very firm stem and heart-shaped leaves.

Clover's three leaf pattern seems similar to Wood Sorrel with three leaves but clover leaves are not heart-shaped, they are single-lobed. WOOD SORREL IS NOT CLOVER!!!!! I often feel compelled to tell this fact in particular to everyone nearby a picture of a shamrock. I have found that most people OBVIOUSLY don’t really care. I'll graze on fresh Wood Sorrel where ever I find it.

No plant or vegetable is known to be higher in iron than Wood Sorrel.

JRH