Creeping woodsorrel, Oxalis corniculata, is a weed species that occurs in many parts of the world. It usually grows below the 2,500-foot elevation level and frequently appears in lawns, flower beds, gardens, nurseries, and greenhouses.
Oxalis is a perennial ground cover which originated from Southern America
Identification
A perennial plant that lives for several seasons, creeping woodsorrel grows in a prostrate manner (low and creeping) and forms roots and stems where nodes contact the soil. It grows in both full sun and shade if the area receives adequate moisture.
The leaves are comprised of 3 heart-shaped leaflets attached to the tip of a long stem. Leaves are green to purple and often close and fold downward in intense light and at night. If creeping woodsorrel plants are stressed due to drought or intense heat, the leaves sometimes turn reddish and wilt.
Creeping woodsorrel can bloom almost any time during the year, although spring is a time of heavy flowering and seed formation. The flowers have 5 small, yellow petals about 1/8- to 1/3-inch long that are borne singly in small clusters of 2 to 5 flowers on the ends of short, slender stalks.
Dense ground cover
Environmental Requirements
O. corniculata occurs in open, disturbed places and does not perform well in shade, although it is also found in shady areas. It occurs in a very wide range of environments from the tropics to cooler climates. O. corniculata is equally at home in light, medium or heavy soils with acid, neutral or basic pH. However its extremely wide distribution suggests that perhaps it is very catholic in its requirements.
Adaptations of the weed to various conditions
• Abundant in its native range
• Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
• Fast growing
• Has a broad native range
• Has high genetic variability
• Has high reproductive potential
• Highly adaptable to different environments
• Pioneering in disturbed areas
• Proved invasive outside its native range
• Reproduces asexually
Distribution
O. corniculata is widespread throughout the world and within many countries. It is considered a cosmopolitan weed of tropical and temperature zones, countries where it occurs as a weed – in tea in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Taiwan; in beans, maize, potatoes, rice and vegetables in Japan; in cereals in Ethiopia; in rice in India and Indonesia; in pastures in Australia; in coffee in El Salvador, India, Kenya, Mexico, Tanzania and Venezuela .
Disadvantages of oxalis weeds
• Reduces crop vigor and yields
• Act as an alternative host to diseases such as maize rusts, sorghum rusts
• Compete for nutrients and light with crops
• Labor intensive
• Affects the lawns by covering grass
Means of Movement and Dispersal
The plants themselves do not spread far by stolons or rhizomes, but seed of O. corniculata have evidently been carried long distances by human agency, either deliberately or accidentally.
• Natural Dispersal
O. corniculata has stolons which can root at the nodes and thus spread the plant clonally. These rooted nodes (ramets) may regenerate after burning, weeding or rototilling. Seeds naturally disperse considerable distances (up to 2 m) from the parent plant during dehiscence of the capsule.
• Vector Transmission
Seeds may be spread further by rodents. The occurrence of O. corniculata on remote islands also suggests that the seeds may be carried by birds.
• Accidental Introduction
Since O. corniculata is so widespread and common its accidental introduction to new countries or to new locations within countries is easily achieved. This is likely to be through contamination of agricultural machinery or seed, or by transfer of seeds on footwear, clothing, vehicle wheels, etc.
• Intentional Introduction
O. corniculata has long been recognized as a valuable condiment and also for its medical or herbal properties: this has almost certainly been one of the reasons for its wide spread throughout most of the world, a spread that could easily continue.
Hosts/Species Affected
• Cereal crops e.g. maize
• Fruit crops e.g pineapple
• Tea
• Cotton
• Beans
Greenlife Crop Protection Africa Limited solutions to Oxalis weed include:
Greenlife Crop Protection Africa Limited has developed a range of highly effective solutions to combat Oxalis weed by chemical applications, it’s recommended to use herbicides provided below to suppress Oxalis weed.
- WEMBE 200 SL
Non-selective post emergence herbicide, control Annual and perennial grasses and broad leaved (Oxalis weed) weeds. WEMBE 200 SL effectively clears Oxalis weed despite of its toughness. Use during Land preparation to clear all weeds.
Rate of use: 3.0Litres per Hectare (300ml in 20L) - CATAPULT 480 SL Non-selective Post emergence herbicide which controls Annual and perennial grasses and broad leaved (Oxalis weed) weeds. Use CATAPULT 480 SL during Land Preparation to clear all weeds.
Rate of Use: 2.0Litres per Hectare (250ml in 20L) - BENTAGRAN TOP 240 EC
Selective early post emergence herbicide which controls Annual grasses and broad leaved (Oxalis weed) weeds on Common beans and French beans. Should be applied when weeds are actively growing.
Rate of Use: 0.5Litres per Hectare (50ml in 20L) - HOTLINE 450 SC
Non selective pre emergence herbicide which controls Annual grasses and broad leaved (Oxalis weed) weeds on French beans, Carrots, Baby corn, Coriander and Onions. Should be applied when soil is well moistened.
Rate of Use: 1.0Litres per Hectare (50ml in 20L) - COMMANDER 240 EC
Onion family-Selective early post emergence or Post transplant herbicide, 2-10 days after transplanting Onions and Brassica family-Selective Pre emergence or Pre transplant herbicide, 2 days on well prepared bed before transplanting Cabbages and Broccoli to control Annual grasses and broad leaved (Oxalis weed) weeds.
Rate of Use: 1.0Litres per Hectare (50ml in 20L)
