Did you buy a Shamrock plant this March? Let's take a look at them. Many folks believe they are buying clover. True clovers called Trifolium, for the three leaflets, and belong to the pea (Fabiaceae) family . You usually see them in gardens or meadows. Some clovers are grown for fodder especially white clover and red clover. They are mowed and grow back up again. Clovers also add nitrogen to the soil. They are often pollinated by bumblebees which makes them fun to watch .

What you probably have is an Oxalis or wood sorrel. By the way these are not the sorrel that is grown for soup. Wood sorrel grow everywhere in the world except in the polar regions. The heart shaped leaflets also come in threes which explains why they are sold at this time of the year. If you are lucky your Oxalis will flower. The flowers are prettier than those of clover. Oxalis flowers have five petals which form a cup and ten stamens (the pollen producing parts). They come in white, yellow, pink, and even red. If you let the flowers go to seed you will see small capsules containing a few seeds which you can try planting. Do plant them. Hey, you never know! If you look under the soil you will see fine roots and tiny tubers which look like very small potatoes. If you like you can easily divide your wood sorrel to create new plants.

Dear reader, I want you to promise me not to throw out your wood sorrel when it dies down. I am assuming that you gave it water and light when it was growing. After the plant dies down to the soil, keep the plant barely moist and in a few weeks the underground tubers will send up new growth. I assume that you have little interest in eating your domesticated sorrel plant but many wild species of wood sorrel are edible. Native Americans used wild wood sorrel as a water source when traveling. Wood sorrels do contain a low amount of oxalic acid (also found in rhubarb) so one would have to be careful not to ingest too much. I like the fact that the Algonquins used it as an aphrodisiac! In South America there is a species of wood sorrel with tubers as large as small potatoes. They are high in starch and said to be good tasting.

The leaves of some species of cultivated sorrels fold when at night or on dark days. Watch your pots of sorrel. This gives you a great opportunity to see the details of the leaves.

Next summer you can take your pots of wood sorrel outside. Gradually move them from a protected shelter like a porch into dappled sunlight. If well watered and kept in a loose rich soil your oxalis plants will fill the pots and be ready for division in the autumn. If you have the opportunity, try to purchase Oxalis purpurea ( purple of course) or Oxalis tetraphylla (Iron cross, a personal favorite of mine as the four leaflets are dark colored near the base giving a great effect ). If you are lucky you will get to see them produce pink flowers in the summer.