Plant Details

Oxalis oregana

Redwood sorrel

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Oxalis oregana.

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Common names

14 names · 10 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Oregon Oxalis[1]
  • Oregon Wood Sorrel[1]
  • Oregon woodsorrel[1]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Redwood sorrel[1]
  • redwood woodsorrel[1]
Other languages (9)
Dutch
  • Klaverzuring
French
  • Oxalis d'Orégon
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 俄勒冈酢浆草[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 奧勒岡酢漿草[1]
Finnish
  • katvekäenkaali[1]
German
  • Oregon-Sauerklee[1]
Italian
  • Ossalide dei Redwoods[1]
Russian
  • Кислица орегонская[1]
Spanish
  • Trébol amargo[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Oxalis oregana — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Oregon woodsorrel — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • Oregon Wood Sorrel — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • redwood sorrel — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • redwood woodsorrel — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • Oregon Oxalis — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • Ossalide dei Redwoods — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • Oregon-Sauerklee — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • 俄勒冈酢浆草 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • 奧勒岡酢漿草 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • Кислица орегонская — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • Trébol amargo — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.
  • katvekäenkaali — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 47757; Oxalis oregana.

General information

Scientific name: Oxalis oregana
Accepted name (Kew): Oxalis oregana Nutt. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Oxalidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Oxalis (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Redwood sorrel
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.20 m
Spread: 0.30 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Shade, Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Flowers
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
Ground cover

Description

Leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked and have a sour taste that is especially loved by children. They are an excellent addition to mixed salads and can be harvested year-round. A large quantity of leaves and stems can ferment and be used for a tasty dessert. A pie can be made from the thin leaf stems, similar to rhubarb pie. However, be mindful of the toxicity and use everything in moderation. The flowers have a pleasant sour taste and can be eaten raw.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/05
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 121995; name ID 2397716; Oxalis L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 112033; name ID 2393990; Oxalis oregana Nutt..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.