This is one of my favorite early spring flowers and it is blooming now near the end of March. It is a member of the Wood Sorrell family. The delicate little flowers can be found usually growing around tree trunks and in little groups.
It's 3 lobed leaves are green on top and purple underneath. At dusk the leaves droop and close up as well as the tiny flowers. They will make a brief appearance again in fall with about 5-6" stems and no leaves.
Native Americans ate the leaves of this plant because of the agreeable tart taste. If it was consumed in excessive amounts it would cause violent convulsions. The leaves were taken and brewed into a tea to purify the blood. Cold teas were drank to stop vomiting. The wood sorrells contain "oxalic" acid crystals making them somewhat toxic to human and animals.
"And lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him."
Luke 9:39 KJV
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