Perennial 4—18 cm long. Rhizome elongated, knotted, scaly. Leaves radical; leaflets 12 35 mm long, 15—45 mm broad, emarginate; margin and lower surface with appressed hairs. Petiole 3.5—17 cm long, sparsely pubescent, base fleshy. Bracts 2, present half way up the peduncle. Sepals free, oblong lanceolate. Petals 10—15 mm long, white to pale pink. Filaments glabrous. Styles longer than the stamens. Capsule ovoid. Seeds few, longitudinally ribbed.

Type: Described from Europe. Hb. Linn. 600/7 (LINN).

Fl. Per. April May.

Distribution: North temperate Europe, North America, North Africa, North and West Asia.

Wood sorrel is not a common plant here. Grows in shady places at altitudes from 1200-2500 m. Used as an antiscorbutic. Occasionally cultivated in rockeries.