Least Yellow Sorrel (Oxalis exilis)

Family: Oxalidaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Oxalis exilis is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

milder flavoured greens or used to give a sour flavour to other foods. — Leaves - raw or cooked.; Added to salads, cooked as a potherb with other milder flavoured greens or used to give a sour flavour to other foods.; The leaves are available all year round unless the winter is very cold, they have a pleasantly sour taste, but are very small and fiddly to harvest.; The leaves contain about 86% water, 2.3% protein, 0.8% fat, 8.2% carbohydrate, 150mg calcium, 78mg phosphorus, 8mg iron, 0.6mg niacin, 78mg vitamin C, 6050µg beta carotene.

Habitat & North American Range

Arable land and waste places, it is a common garden weed where it tends to become especially troublesome in pots of plants growing in greenhouses etc. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)