Oxalis
in botany, wood-sorrel; the typical genus of the Oxalidex or Oxalidaceæ. Known species, 220; chiefly from South Africa and South America. O. acetosella is the common wood-sorrel.
The leaves are all radical and trifoliate; handsome white flowers, with purplish veins. Found in woods and other shady places, and in nooks on mountain sides.
O. corniculata is the yellow prominent wood-sorrel. O. stricta, possibly only a sub-species of the last. The stalks of O. crenata, a Columbian species, are very acid, and make good preserve. O. esculenta, O. deppei, O. crassicaulis, and O. tetraphylla have eatable tubers. O. sensitiva, O. stricta, and O. biophytum have sensitive leaves. Those of O. sensitiva are tonic and slightly stimulating.