Overlooked

[escape]

I noticed these tiny yellow flowers growing along my walkway. What caught my attention was their size — each bloom was less than half an inch across. I’m sure I’ve passed them countless times. They’re common throughout Florida, and more often than not, when a homeowner sees them, the first instinct is to pull them out.

Curiosity led me to learn more. The plant is yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis) — and it turns out it’s edible.

The leaves, flowers, and seed pods can all be eaten. They have a bright, lemony flavor due to oxalic acid, giving them a pleasant tartness similar to sorrel or even a mild citrus note. The leaves can be added to salads, the flowers used as garnish, and the seed pods eaten raw for a sharp, tangy bite.

Nutritionally, wood sorrel contains:

Vitamin C

Beta carotene (provitamin A)

Potassium

Magnesium

Small amounts of antioxidants

Of course, like spinach and other greens high in oxalic acid, it’s best enjoyed in moderation.

What interested me most wasn’t just that it’s edible, but how easily something small and overlooked can carry depth and value. A plant I likely stepped past dozens of times revealed texture, flavor, and usefulness once I slowed down long enough to notice

[DanK]

Indeed, I used to eat a little when hiking in Oregon many years ago. But be careful. Oxalic acid can be harmful, for certain people or in large amounts. Do a search online for "oxalic acid health risks" or some such, without the quotes.

[escape]

Noticed this one the other day.

White Rain Lily (Zephyranthes candida)

Common throughout North Florida, the white rain lily grows from a small underground bulb and is known for blooming shortly after heavy rainfall. After long dry stretches, it can remain completely dormant beneath the soil for months — sometimes even a year or more — waiting for the right combination of warmth and moisture.

When triggered by rain, the plant responds quickly, sending up slender stems topped with six white petals, a green throat, and bright yellow stamens. The blooms are brief, often lasting only a few days, but they can appear in clusters that seem to rise almost overnight.

Though delicate in appearance, this is a resilient plant built for cycles of drought and sudden renewal.

[DanK]

nice image