COMMON NAMES : Wood Sorrel, Creeping Wood Sorrel, Yellow Wood Sorrel, Sour Grass, Toad-Sorrel, Lady's-Sorrel, Indian-Sorrel, Wood Sour, Hallelujah

ELEMENT : Earth

RULING PLANET : Venus

GENDER : Feminine

MAGICKAL POWERS : Healing, Health

DESCRIPTION : Wood sorrel is a low spreader that roots where its nodes touch the ground. Creeping stems emerge from a slender tap root. The clover-shaped leaves have a sour taste, are palmate, and are divided into 3 heart shaped leaflets, and are attached to the tip of a long petiole. They are usually smooth with hairs at the edge. The leaves and stems are often have a slight purple color. Each leaflet is 1/2-3/4 wide. The leaves close each night at dusk and reopen in the morning.

The flowers are usually borne singly but sometimes appear in umbels. They are radially symmetrical, sepals numbering 5, and usually separate at the base. The flowers are yellow and are 1/2 in wide, petals numbering 5, 10 stamens, with 10 erect pistils. Wood sorrel flowers May-October.

The fruit is a seed capsule on a straight or ascending stalk. The seed capsules are hairy, cylindrical and 1/3 to 1 inch long, with 10-50 seeds in each. Mature seed pods open explosively, and can send seeds 10 feet.

CULTIVATION: Wood sorrel will grow anywhere, in full sun or shade. It is not particular about is surroundings and is considered a "weed." Its habitat is waste ground, roadsides and fields. There is no need to plant it, it will spring up between plants in the garden. Once in the garden, it is very difficult to remove.

The seeds need light for germination. Best temperatures are between 60� to 80�F for germination.

PART OF PLANT USED : The leaves and stalks of wood sorrel may be used.

PLANT ANALYSIS : The leaves of wood sorrel have a high oxalic acid content.

MEDICINAL ACTION : The actions and uses for O. corniculata are similar to O.acetosella. They are considered antiseptic, diuretic, antiscorbutic.

MEDICINAL USES : This plant appears to no longer be used as a medicinal herb.

Traditional uses include : Stomachache, conjunctivitis, coughs, gingivitis, prickly-heat, stomatitis, sore mouths and throats, skin sores, scurvy an antiseptic, and removal of worms.

DOSAGE : 1 tablespoon of the herb infused in 1 cup boiling water. No more than 2 cups per day. Excessive doses can cause hemorrhage and diarrhea due to internal irritation. Oxalate poisoning is the result.

MAGICAL USES : Use wood sorrel in rituals and spells for healing.

HISTORY : The family Oxalidaceae is a widespread family of eight genera and 1000 species of herbs, shrubs and a few trees. These plants are called wood sorrels to distinguish from the field and meadow sorrels, Rumex.

The genus name Oxalidaceae is from the Greek "oxys", meaning sour.

A European introduction, wood sorrel is now a common garden weed around the world.

In 1548 Turner wrote, "oxys is called in English Alleluya, Cockowes Meate, and Wood Sorel." It was called Alleluia "because it appeareth about Easter when Alleluya is sung again," meaning the hymns of Lent.

Canon Young, in 1945, suggested "the plant may have been so named because its threefold leaf was thought to illustrate the Holy Trinity. Blooming about St. Patrick's Day, it has often been identified with the plant the saint is said to have used... now commonly called shamrock."

Wood sorrel was used as a "cure" cancer and was listed in the 1894 Household Guide for Toronto.

There are records of wood sorrels being used for cancer in folk medicine in Europe, Asia, and North America.

The Cherokee used this plant as an oral aid for a sore mouth and throat, a cancer treatment, and as a hookworm remedy. An infusion of the leaves of wood sorrel was taken as a remedy for vomiting. A salve for sores was made with an infusion of the leaves mixed with sheep grease.

LORE : Carry the dried leaves of wood sorrel to protect against heart disease.

Place a sprig of wood sorrel in your bedroom to help you recuperate from illness.

CULINARY : The sour taste of the leaves is distinctive and quite strong. Use the leaves sparingly in salads.

The seeds served as food during famine.

Quotes from Turner and Young may be found in "The History and Folklore of North American Wildflowers" by Timothy Coffey. 1993.