When you are out and about at this time of year in many parts of Australia, a cold and sometimes drab winter is relieved by a blaze of brilliant yellow: soursob.

It can look pretty, but sadly it’s an introduced weed that should have nothing to do with an Australian winter.

Soursob, Oxalis pes-caprae, is an introduced weed from Africa. It is also known as soursop, sourgrass and Cape sorrel, among other names. The name pes-caprae means goat’s foot and refers to the pattern formed by the leaves.

Soursob was first planted in Australian gardens for its flowers. These days the very mention of it would strike fear into the hearts of most gardeners – once it’s there, it’s very hard to get rid of.

Edible but problematic

Many people will know soursob from childhood.

I remember, as a child, we would eat the stems of these bright yellow, five-petalled flowers with a clover-like leaf – the taste is sour but not unpleasant.

The plant is as popular with little ones now. Posies are easily gathered, stalks tasted and taken home as a trophy of the day’s walk or visit to a........

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