Plants diurnal

Creeping Woodsorrel

Oxalis corniculata

Often mistaken for clover, the Creeping Woodsorrel is a botanical gymnast that 'sleeps' at night and launches its seeds with explosive force. Its cheerful yellow blooms and heart-shaped leaves make it a tiny but tenacious star of the backyard ecosystem.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Height: 1–10 cm (0.4–4 in); Spread: 10–50 cm (4–20 in) through creeping runners

palette

Colors

Bright green to deep reddish-purple foliage; small, 5-petaled bright yellow flowers

visibility

Key Features

Heart-shaped leaflets in groups of three
Prostrate stems that root at the nodes (creeping)
Small yellow flowers with five petals
Cylindrical seed pods that explode when touched

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 9 AM - 4 PM (when flowers are open and leaves are fully expanded)

calendar_month

Season Spring through Autumn; year-round in temperate climates

restaurant

Diet Autotrophic; produces its own energy through photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and soil nutrients.

park

Habitat Common in suburban lawns, garden beds, sidewalk cracks, and well-watered pots.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

Creeping Woodsorrel is a remarkably resilient plant known for its 'nyctinastic' movements. Often called 'Sleeping Beauty,' its leaves fold downward at night or during heavy rain, a defensive behavior intended to protect the plant's surface and conserve moisture. During the day, the leaves expand to maximize sunlight absorption, following the sun's path across the sky.

The plant spreads aggressively through stolons—horizontal stems that creep along the ground and cast roots wherever they touch the soil. It also possesses a fascinating method of seed dispersal; its ripe seed capsules are pressurized and will 'pop' at the slightest touch, launching tiny seeds several feet away to colonize new areas of your yard or garden.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To successfully capture Creeping Woodsorrel on your backyard camera, you must think small and low. Because this plant rarely grows taller than a few inches, you should mount your camera on a ground-level stake or use a low-profile tripod. Position the lens about 4 to 6 inches above the ground, angled slightly downward. This 'bug's-eye view' is essential for capturing the intricate details of the heart-shaped leaves and the tiny yellow flowers that are often missed from a standing height.

The most compelling way to document this species is through time-lapse photography. Set your camera to take a frame every 10 to 20 minutes starting an hour before sunrise and ending an hour after sunset. This will allow you to see the plant 'waking up' as the leaves unfold and 'going to sleep' in the evening. If your camera software supports it, use a close-focus or macro setting to ensure the delicate textures of the petals and the specialized seed pods are in sharp focus.

Lighting plays a huge role in how this plant appears on camera. Creeping Woodsorrel flowers only open in bright sunlight, so choose a patch that receives direct morning or midday sun. If you find a specimen with reddish-purple leaves, bright sunlight will make the colors pop against the green of a lawn. Avoid areas with heavy foot traffic, as the stems are delicate, though the plant is surprisingly good at bouncing back from light disturbances.

Finally, for the most dramatic footage, try to capture the 'explosive' seed pods. These appear after the flowers fade and look like tiny green okra pods pointing upward. If you set your camera to high-speed video trigger and a stray raindrop or a passing insect hits a ripe pod, you might catch the split-second moment the seeds are launched into the air. Ensure the area around your target plant is cleared of tall grass or debris so the AI-powered motion detection can focus entirely on the plant's subtle movements.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Creeping Woodsorrel.

Yellow Woodsorrel

Unlike the creeping variety, Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta) grows more upright and does not root along the stems.

White Clover

Clover has oval leaves and rounded white flower 'puffs' rather than the 5-petaled yellow flowers of Woodsorrel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Creeping Woodsorrel is most active during the day. Its flowers open and leaves expand fully between 9 AM and 4 PM, depending on sun exposure. At night, the leaves fold downward in a state called nyctinasty.

You usually don't need to attract it; it is a common 'volunteer' plant in gardens. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and often hitches a ride in the soil of nursery plants or arrives via its self-launching seeds.

As a plant, it doesn't 'eat' in the traditional sense. It creates its own food through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, and minerals from the soil.

Yes, they are extremely common in suburban environments, frequently found in lawns, flower beds, and even growing in the cracks of concrete driveways.

Look closely at the leaves: Creeping Woodsorrel has perfectly heart-shaped leaflets with a central crease, while clover leaflets are usually oval or round and often have a white 'V' shaped marking.

Record Creeping Woodsorrel at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo