Okay, it’s not really a shamrock. It does belong to a family of plants known as ‘false shamrocks’.
I can’t grow real shamrocks in my desert garden, so I like to act like my pink-flowering fake is the real thing.
In my vegetable garden, this plant that looks like a shamrock is actually a Pink Wood Sorrel, or Oxalis crassipes ‘Rosea’.
I saw this pretty flowering plant on one of her, and she sent me some that she had cut off of her plant a few years ago.
Hardy to zones 5 – 10, it flowers in spring and fall. During the hot summer, it goes dormant but quickly grows back.
Because it has done so well, I cut it up and put the pieces in other places in my vegetable gardens that get some shade.
It was put in my vegetable garden, where it would do well in rich soil and get regular water.
I enjoy growing some plant species that might seem out of place in the desert climate. You just have to adjust the growing conditions a bit. A partly shady corner of the vegetable garden works just perfectly for my false ‘shamrock’.
Clover is a common plant found in lawns fields and meadows. Its characteristic triple leaflets and rounded flower heads are easily recognizable. But you may come across a lookalike weed with three leaves and pinkish flowers that can be mistaken for clover. Chances are it’s a type of wood sorrel called oxalis.
Oxalis is a genus of low-growing flowering plants that are often confused with clover. There are over 800 species of oxalis, but a few common ones emerge as pink-flowered clover imposters Read on to learn how to identify these oxalis weeds
What is Wood Sorrel?
Wood sorrel or oxalis belongs to the Oxalidaceae family. There are over 800 species found around the world, thriving in warm, moist environments.
Some common names for oxalis weeds include:
- Wood sorrel
- Sourgrass
- Shamrock
- Yellow sorrel
- Pink sorrel
- False shamrocks
These low-growing edible herbs have a tangy, lemony flavor. The oxalis genus gets its name from the oxalic acid present in the leaves, which gives the plant its sour taste.
Wood sorrel species spread rapidly by seed. They can become invasive weeds in gardens, fields, and landscape plantings if not controlled.
Why Does Wood Sorrel Look Like Clover?
Several species of wood sorrel are frequently mistaken for clover thanks to their trifoliate leaves. Like clover wood sorrel has
- Leaves divided into three heart-shaped leaflets
- A compound leaf structure with all three leaflets attached at the center
- Sprawling growth habit close to the ground
- Tendency to spread rapidly through areas
This similar triple leaf shape causes wood sorrel to be overlooked as clover by the casual observer.
However, wood sorrel can be distinguished from clover by other traits:
- Flowers have 5 petals (clover has tiny clustered flowers)
- Leaves and stems have a sour taste (clover tastes grassy)
- Leaves fold up at night (unique trait)
- Flowers produce a “seed box” capsule after blooming
Once you know what features to compare, it’s not too hard to tell wood sorrel and clover plants apart.
Pink-Flowered Wood Sorrels that Mimic Clover
Several wood sorrel species produce flowers in shades of pink, further adding to the confusion with clover. Here are a few to watch for:
Pink Wood Sorrel
Scientific name: Oxalis debilis
Pink wood sorrel is one of the most common species mistaken for clover. It has:
- Delicate pink or white flowers
- Thin, weak stems that crawl along the ground
- Light green leaves with reddish undersides
- Blooms spring through fall
- Spreads aggressively through gardens and lawns
Bermuda Buttercup
Scientific name: Oxalis pes-caprae
This wood sorrel is an invasive weed in warm climates like California and the southern U.S. Features include:
- Shiny yellow flowers that turn pink with age
- Forms dense mats that overwhelm gardens
- Leaves stay green year-round in mild climates
Creeping Wood Sorrel
Scientific name: Oxalis corniculata
This weed has:
- Dainty yellow flowers that turn pink as they age
- Small (1/4 inch), clover-like leaflets
- Spreads rapidly through lawns and garden beds
English Wood Sorrel
Scientific name: Oxalis acetosella
Native to Europe, this wood sorrel has:
- White flowers with pink veins
- Reddish stems
- Grows in U.S. landscapes and gardens
- Thrives in woodlands and shady lawns
Once you learn to recognize their five-petaled flowers and sour foliage, it’s easy to distinguish these wood sorrels from sweet, grassy clover.
Differences Between Clover and Pink-Flowered Wood Sorrel
Here’s a handy chart to compare characteristics of clover vs. pink-flowered wood sorrel:
| Clover | Pink-Flowered Wood Sorrel |
|---|---|
| Leaflets | Rounded, elliptical, or heart shaped |
| Leaf margins | Toothed |
| Leaf arrangement | Leaves on stem directly across from each other |
| Flowers | White, purple, red dense balls |
| Flower shape | Round clustered heads |
| Stems | Sturdy, upright |
| Taste | Mild, grassy |
| Growth habit | Low clumps, upright stalks |
Once you know what features to compare, it’s easy to correctly identify wood sorrel weeds from clover plants.
How to Control Pink-Flowering Wood Sorrel Weeds
Wood sorrel weeds spread aggressively in lawns and gardens through seeds and creeping stems. Here are organic methods to control oxalis:
- Hand pull frequently to stop seed production and uproot spreading stems
- Encourage vigorous turfgrass to crowd out weeds
- Maintain optimal soil fertility and moisture to discourage weeds
- Solarize soil using black plastic sheeting to heat and kill plants
- Apply corn gluten meal in early spring to inhibit seed germination
- Replant heavily infested areas with native plants after removing oxalis
Be persistent and don’t allow oxalis weeds to mature and go to seed. Combine control methods to manage infestations.
Using Wood Sorrel Plants
While considered a weed by many, wood sorrel has some beneficial uses:
- The edible leaves add tangy lemon flavor to salads, soups, and sauces.
- Tea can be brewed from the dried leaves.
- The plant has historically been used to treat scurvy, urinary tract infections, and mouth sores.
- Wood sorrel can be an attractive groundcover in shady areas when managed properly.
So don’t be too quick to discard this hardy little plant. Consider allowing it grow under the right conditions.
Just be sure to properly identify pink-flowered wood sorrel instead of mistaking it for clover in lawns and garden beds where it is unwanted. A quick glance at the defining flowers and foliage helps tell these lookalike plants apart.
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Pink-sorrel (Oxalis) flowering plant
FAQ
What is pink sorrel good for?
Is pink Oxalis invasive?
What plants are mistaken for clover?
What is the giant clover with pink flowers?
What plants look like clover?
Each of these plants has unique characteristics that make them look like clover. Wood Sorrel has delicate white flowers, Black Medic has yellow flowers, Spotted Deadnettle has purple flowers, Shamrock Plant has small white flowers, and Winged Clover has pink flowers. These plants are fascinating and can be a great addition to any garden.
What do clovers look like?
The clover lookalikes have leaves arranged in a trefoil shape. Each leaflet resembles that of a genuine clover. Additionally, these plants often have tiny, clustered flowers. However, regular clovers also possess distinct features. Their fragrant leaves distinguish them. The plants will have a positive impact on water capacity and soil nitrogen.
What is a clover look-alike plant?
A clover look-alike are plants that look like clovers but are a different species. Several types of clover look-alikes include Wood Sorrel, Black Medic, Spotted Deadnettle, Shamrock Plant, and Winged Clover.
What does a red clover plant look like?
Red Clover, scientifically known as Trifolium Pratense, is a gorgeous plant that resembles clover. Its leaves are oval and palmately structured in threes with a darker green hue and a similar”V” shape. The plant boasts bright pink-red clustered flowers, standing out from other clover species’ white blooms.
What are the different types of clover plants?
Several types of clover look-alikes include Wood Sorrel, Black Medic, Spotted Deadnettle, Shamrock Plant, and Winged Clover. These plants have unique characteristics that set them apart from clover, such as delicate white flowers in the case of Wood Sorrel or vibrant red blooms in the case of Trefoil.
What is the difference between a clover and a clover?
Clovers are legume family members, while clover-like plants are not. Clovers have leaves made up of three leaflets, while clover-like plants have leaves made up of various numbers of leaflets. Clovers bear flowers in clusters, while clover-like plants bear their flowers individually. Clovers are hardier and more adaptable than clover-like plants.