Yellow woodsorrel seed pods

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:19 pm

This is a very common "weed" (When is a plant called a weed?) called Yellow woodsorrel. They look like a clover but are not related. Heart shaped leaves, folded down the ridge line. When dry, the seed pods have a triggering mechanism that expels the seeds in all directions from the slightest touch. The first photo shows a green seed pod, the second one shows a ripe seed pod ready to shoot out seeds. Usually if you touch the top point of the pod, the seeds will go flying. Give it a try next time you come across them in your garden. These are also from the August Archives with the older Canon.(more info here)

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:33 pm

Well here is another bit of knowledge.

I have seen these many a time but never new what they were. As a matter of fact, is this what some refer to as "sour grass?" I seem to remember tasting a small plant like this back when I was a dirty faced little kid and it did have a tart taste as I recall.

Really like that second image there Doug, lots'a detail

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:52 pm

Interesting plant! And Doug 'weed' is really a gardening term to describe a plant that you didn't plant or one that grows in the wrong place. Not necessarily a bad word in my opinion,some so called weeds are fantastic plants!

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:47 pm

OK, I'm confused. Are the red things seeds? If so, what are they doing on the outside of the pod?!

--Rik

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:53 pm

Interesting info on this plant Doug. Reminds me of a weed from my childhood. We would tell unsuspecting kids that the seeds were candy and they had to put it under their tongue. The moisture would make it pop opens and give them a fright. Oh kids can be nasty, but it was fun!!

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:13 pm

rjlittlefield wrote:OK, I'm confused. Are the red things seeds? If so, what are they doing on the outside of the pod?!

--Rik

Well you know strawberries carry their seeds on the outside(and so are not a true fruit)
Haven't a clue about this one tho,looks like galls on it.

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:18 am

Rik wrote

OK, I'm confused. Are the red things seeds? If so, what are they doing on the outside of the pod?!
--Rik

They are the seeds and I do not know why they are on the outside of the pod. This is the first time I have seen them like this and that is why I took the picture.....maybe a seedpod Malfunction

Ken...I know I have tried them before too. Along with lots of other plants

Thanks everyone for the great comments.

Here is some more info..it does mention the seeds in this link under fruit.
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/oxast.htm

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:17 am

Hhmm...

I'll see about putting this one on my "summer investigations" list.

Generally my family tries to keep these things from ever getting to the point of dispersing seed, but maybe this year I'll make an exception or two and see if I can photograph the mechanism.

I'm pretty sure that the seeds form on the inside of the pod and get ejected when the pod springs apart.

Perhaps this particular plant had a "wardrobe malfunction" and didn't come apart correctly.

--Rik

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:29 am

beetleman wrote:Rik wrote

Thanks everyone for the great comments.

Here is some more info..it does mention the seeds in this link under fruit.
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/oxast.htm

Ah that looks like the stuff that often comes with shop bought cacti!