Native Eyes

Wood Sorrel Leaf - By Carol Wingert

Wood Sorrel – Oxalis Species – Oxalis Montanna – Oxalis Acetosella

Wood Sorrel is an amazing wild edible, that has leaves and flowers that are best eaten raw. Commonly called sour grass, and often confused with “yellow clover”, Wood Sorrel is a sour treat that will quench your thirst, while you enjoy it as a trail side nibble.

To identify Wood Sorrel, note the 5 petaled yellow flowers, and the HEART SHAPED leaves. Wood Sorrel leaves have a heart shape, that have a fold down the middle, and when it’s rainy or overcast, they often fold in half.

Native American uses for Wood Sorrel.

Kiowa Indians would often chew Wood Sorrel leaves and flowers, to quench thirst while traveling, Algonquin Indians used it as an aphrodisiac, Cherokee Indians ate wood sorrel to treat sore throat, and Iroquois Indians used wood sorrel for fever and cramps.

In our Wild Weed Walks and Plants Classes we often add Wood Sorrel to our salads, but we never cook it, because it contains natural Oxalic Acid. (Oxalic acid is also in spinach, and that’s why raw spinach tastes better and is better for you than cooked spinach.)

Please compare the photo’s below – and make sure you are NOT picking “Yellow Clover” which grows often in the same areas as Wood Sorrel. These photo’s were taken just 3 feet apart from each other along the Great Allegheny Passage – Yough River Bike Trail by Carol Wingert.

Have a great day!

Mr Twenty Twenty – AKA – Mr Nature

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Note:  If you have Gout – stay away from Spinach and Wood Sorrel.  Because of the Oxalic acid in them, they may tend to contribute to conditions like Gout.