Oxalis corniculata on which the sun never sets

Oxalis corniculata, commonly known as creeping sorrel or creeping woodsorrel, is not indigenous. It probably comes from Europe or Asia and is a troublesome herbaceous weed on disturbed land, agricultural fields and lawns. Creeping across the ground, as well as the earth, it is naturalised in many countries on all continents apart from Antarctica; widespread in South Africa. Still, the literature offers advice both on growing the plant and destroying or "controlling" it.

O. corniculata grows brown and hairy prostrate branches, that root at nodes and spread. The trifoliolate leaves grow on slender stalks. Each leaflet is notched or indented at the tip, forming heart-shaped lobes. Leaf colour may be green or purple. Few hairs appear on upper leaflet surfaces, many below.

The yellow, self-pollinating flowers are produced on stalks above the leaves. Flowering happens throughout the year. Explosively dehiscent cylindrical fruit capsules become from 1 cm to 2 cm long.

Edible like many Oxalis plants, it is rich in vitamin C; sometimes used to make a tea, said to be best consumed cold (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Wikipedia).