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Biology and Management of Oxalis (Oxalis stricta) in Ornamental Crop Production

Matt Lollar and Chris Marble

Species Description

Class: Dicotyledonous plant.

Family: Oxalidaceae (wood sorrel family).

Other Common Names: Yellow woodsorrel, yellow oxalis, upright yellow sorrel, shamrock, lucky clover, good luck plant.

Life Span: Cool-season (spring and fall) perennial that persist year-round in warmer climates.

Habitat: Often found in woodlands, grasslands, turf, disturbed sites, and drain holes of containers or on container media surface (Figure 1). Found in full-sun and partial-sun areas.

Figure 1. Oxalis growing in loropetalum liner.
Figure 1.  Oxalis growing in loropetalum liner.
Credit: Chris Marble, UF/IFAS

Distribution: Oxalis is believed to be native to North America and is found in most of the eastern and central United States and is also present in Europe, Africa, Asia, Japan, and New Zealand.

Growth Habit: Usually erect (upright) and readily branching, but may also grow more prostrate (along soil surface). Often forms dense mats from rhizomes (horizontal underground stems that form lateral shoots and adventitious roots) (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Mature oxalis growing in a nursery container.
Figure 2.  Mature oxalis growing in a nursery container.
Credit: Chris Marble, UF/IFAS

Seedling: Cotyledons often have a pink tint with alternate, trifoliate leaves with thin, heart-shaped leaflets that are creased in the middle (Figure 3). Leaflets are smooth on the upper surface and have minimal pubescence (hair) on the lower surfaces and margins.

Figure 3. Oxalis seedling. Note heart-shaped leaflets and pinkish hue.
Figure 3.  Oxalis seedling. Note heart-shaped leaflets and pinkish hue.
Credit: Chris Marble, UF/IFAS

Shoot: Stems are light green in color and slightly pubescent (hairy). Leaves are palmately compound, alternate, and light green, with entire (smooth) cordate (heart-shaped) leaflets that are 0.2 to 0.4 inches long and 0.2 to 0.4 inches wide.

Roots: Taprooted. Rhizomes form secondary fibrous root structure.

Inflorescence: Three flower stalks branch from a single main stalk, which arises from the leaf axils. Flowers are yellow, roughly 0.5 inches in diameter, and have 5 petals. Flowers from spring through fall (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Oxalis flower.
Figure 4.  Oxalis flower.
Credit: Annette Chandler, UF/IFAS

Fruit and Seeds: Capsule fruit, resembling the shape of okra pods, contain five ridges and are approximately 0.5 inches in length (Figure 5). Fruit are produced spring through fall. Seeds are flat, brown, and have a teardrop shape. Mature seed capsules explosively dehisce (expel) when touched.

Figure 5. Oxalis seed pods. Seed are forcibly expelled when mature.
Figure 5.  Oxalis seed pods. Seed are forcibly expelled when mature.
Credit: Annette Chandler, UF/IFAS

Similar Species: Several oxalis species are common weed pests in ornamental plant production. Creeping woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata) is a similar species that grows more prostrate, often has darker green to purplish leaves, and produces stolons (aboveground plant stem that roots at nodes) (Hall, Vandiver, and Sellers 2012). O. corniculata has more pubescent foliage, especially along leaf margins. Florida yellow woodsorrel (O. florida) closely resembles O. stricta but has slender stems, larger leaves, and a smooth to slightly hairy seed capsule (Unruh et al. 2013). Cuban purple woodsorrel (O. intermedia) and pink sorrel (Oxalis debilis var. corymbosa) have larger leaves, purple flowers, and reproduce by bulbs and seed. Various Oxalis species are available commercially as ornamentals, including a vast assortment of Oxalis purpurea cultivars that have large, pink, showy flowers. Trifolium spp. (clovers) have similarly shaped leaves but have ball-like clusters of flowers and belong to a completely different plant family.

Plant Biology

Oxalis grows throughout the year in Florida (Neal and Derr 2005). Oxalis prefers moist soil but can grow in dry areas and in a variety of different soil types (Halvorson and Guertin 2003). Persistence in ornamental production and landscapes is due to its prolific seed production; a single plant may produce up to 5,000 seeds in a year. At maturity, seeds are dispersed from explosively dehiscent capsules up to 16 feet away from the parent plant and germinate quickly (Halvorson and Guertin 2003; Neal and Derr 2005). Newly developed seeds have been shown to have close to 100 percent germination soon after dispersal (Holt and Elmore 1985). Seeds require light to germinate and most germination occurs within a temperature range of 50°F to 84°F; however, seeds produced during warmer months have a broader germination temperature range than seeds produced during cooler months (Holt and Elmore 1985). Vegetative reproduction is prevalent in established populations from axillary buds at nodes located on rhizomes (Halvorson and Guertin 2003). Oxalis can be found growing in sidewalk cracks, alongside trails, in lawns, flower beds, cultivated fields, and in container nursery stock in a wide range of elevations (Halvorson and Guertin, 2003). In greenhouse studies, oxalis populations have been shown to negatively impact the growth rates of ornamental crops (Neal and Derr 2005).

Management

Physical and Cultural Control

Oxalis is most successfully controlled through hand weeding when plants are young (6 weeks or younger) and before seed capsules develop (Halvorson and Guertin 2003). It is nearly impossible to completely remove oxalis rhizomes and stolons once established in nursery containers (Neal and Derr 2005). Hand weeding should occur when soil is moist to avoid dislodging small ornamentals and to ensure that all vegetative portions (roots, rhizomes, etc.) are removed (Halvorson and Guertin 2003). Hand-pulled plants need to be removed from the field because any seeds left behind can continue to germinate. Shallow mulching can aid in suppressing germination by blocking seedling exposure to light (Holt and Elmore 1985). Oxalis is generally tolerant of mowing and can develop a more prostrate growth habit in areas that are repeatedly mowed (Halvorson and Guertin 2003). Rototilling mature oxalis can promote the initiation of new plants by spreading cut rhizomes and stems (Halvorson and Guertin 2003). Sanitation is the most effective method for oxalis control in nurseries and greenhouses (Neal and Derr 2005). Regularly scout for this weed and check all incoming plants and liners for presence of oxalis before placing them in production beds.

Chemical Control

Preemergence

Oxalis is controlled with most preemergent herbicides labeled for nursery and landscape use. Preemergence herbicides will not work if stolons, rhizomes, or root and stem fragments are left behind after hand weeding. Containers and planting beds need to be weed free at the time of application for preemergence herbicides to be effective. However, indaziflam (Marengo®, OHP, Inc.) can provide control of very small oxalis soon after it germinates, up to the four-leaf stage (Marble et al. 2013). Marengo® should be applied as a directed application. A partial list of preemergence herbicides labeled for use in and around ornamentals that provide control of oxalis is given in Table 1.

Postemergence

There are many different postemergence herbicides that are effective for oxalis control but most have to be applied as a directed application. Effective active ingredients include glyphosate (RoundUp®), glufosinate (Finale®), diquat (Reward®), and pelargonic acid (Scythe®), among several others. Both systemic and contact herbicides will provide effective control, but thorough coverage is needed for contact herbicides such as diquat or pelargonic acid. Postemergence herbicides are most effective when the weeds are small and actively growing. Always consult the manufacturer's label and follow all precautions when applying herbicides.

Disclaimer: Mention of a commercial or herbicide brand name or chemical does not constitute a recommendation or warranty of the product by the authors or the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, nor does it imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable. Products should be used according to label instructions and safety equipment required on the label and by federal or state law should be employed. Pesticide registrations may change, so it is the responsibility of the user to ascertain if a pesticide is registered by the appropriate state and federal agencies for its intended use.

References

Hall, D. W., V. V. Vandiver, and B. A. Sellers. 2012. Creeping Wood Sorrel, Oxalis corniculata L. Southern Yellow Wood Sorrel, Oxalis florida Salisb. SP37. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Halvorson, W. L. and P. Guertin. 2003. "Factsheet for: Oxalis stricta L." USGS Weeds in the West project: Status of Introduced Plants in Southern Arizona Parks. Tucson, Arizona.

Holt, J. and C. Elmore. 1985. "Oxalis—Biology and Control." Ornamentals Northwest Archives 9(2):6–8.

Mallory-Smith, C. A. and E. J. Retzinger Jr. 2003. "Revised Classification of Herbicides by Site of Action for Weed Resistance Management Strategies." WeedTech 17:605-619.

Marble, S. C., C. H. Gilliam, G. R. Wehtje, and M. Samuel-Foo. 2013. "Early Postemergence Control of Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta L.) with Residual Herbicides." WeedTech 27:347–351.

Murphy, T. R. 2007. Weeds of Southern Turfgrasses. SP079. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Neal, J. C. and J. F. Derr. 2005. Weeds of Container Nurseries in the United States. Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Association of Nurserymen, Inc.

Unruh, J. B., D. E. P. Telenko, B. J. Brecke, and R. Leon. 2013. Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis) Biology and Management in Turf. ENH1124. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Tables

Table 1. 

Preemergence herbicides labeled for use in ornamental plant production and landscapes to control yellow woodsorrel (oxalis).

Common Name (active ingredient)

Example trade name and formulation

WSSA Herbicide Group1

Efficacy2

Container production

Field production

Greenhouse or fully enclosed structures

Landscape

dithiopyr

Dimension® 2EW

3

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

oryzalin

Surflan® 4AS

3

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

Oryzalin 4 Pro

3

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

pendimethalin

Pendulum® 2G

3

S-C

YES

YES

NO

YES

Pendulum® 3.3EC, 3.8AC

YES

YES

NO

YES

prodiamine

Barricade® 4FL, 65 WG

3

S-C

YES

YES

NO

YES

trifluralin

Treflan 5G

3

S

YES

YES

NO

YES

simizine

Simizine 4L

5

P-S

YES

YES

NO

YES

flumioxazin

Broadstar™ 0.25G

14

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

SureGuard® 51WDG

YES3

YES3

NO

YES4

oxadiazon

Ronstar® 2G

14

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

dimethenamid-p

Tower® 6EC

15

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

s-metolachlor

Pennant Magnum® 7.6 EC

15

P-S

YES

YES

NO

YES

isoxaben

Gallery® 75DF, 4.16SC

21

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

indaziflam

Marengo® 0.622 SC

29

C

NO5

YES

YES6

NO7

Marengo® 0.0224G

YES

YES

NO

NO7

pendimethalin + dimethenamid-p

FreeHand® 1.75G

3 + 15

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

trifluralin + isoxaben

Snapshot® 2.5TG

3 + 21

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

prodiamine + isoxaben

Gemini™ 3.7SC

3 + 21

C

YES

YES

NO

NO

oxadiazon + prodiamine

RegalStar® II

14 + 3

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

oxyfluorfen + oryzalin

Rout® 3G

14 + 3

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin

OH2® 3G

14 + 3

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

oxyfluorfen + prodiamine

Biathlon® 2.75G

14 + 3

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

oxyfluorfen + oxadiazon

Double O™

14 + 14

C

YES

YES

NO

YES

1 Herbicide groups are based according to primary sites of action and can be used to select herbicides that have differing sites of action (Mallory-Smith and Retzinger, 2003) so as to minimize the potential for the development of herbicide resistant weeds.

2 P = poor control; S = suppression, C = good control.

3 Can only be used in selected conifer and deciduous tree species. Check manufacturer's label for a complete list of species and recommended application methods.

4 Can be applied as a directed application around established woody landscape ornamentals.

5 Marengo® 0.622 SC can be used in pot-in-pot container ornamentals as a directed application only.

6 Labeled for use on greenhouse floors prior to plant production. Plants can be placed back inside greenhouse 24 hrs after application.

7 Indaziflam is also available by the trade name Specticle which can be applied to turf and landscape sites.

Publication #ENH1253

Release Date:February 8, 2022

Related Experts

Lollar, Matthew C

County agent

University of Florida

Marble, Stephen Christopher

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

  • Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Management
Commercial

About this Publication

This document is ENH1253, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date February 2015. Revised November 2018 and February 2022. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Matthew Lollar, commercial horticulture production Extension agent, UF/IFAS Extension Seminole County; and Chris Marble, assistant professor, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida REC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Stephen Marble