What's this?

Fallon

Can anyone tell me what this little thing is? Is it a weed? It pops up all over the place- between stones- around plants and shrubs. Has greenish purple leaves and a yellow flower? 

Fallon

Fallon said:

Can anyone tell me what this little thing is? Is it a weed? It pops up all over the place- between stones- around plants and shrubs. Has greenish purple leaves and a yellow flower? 

Alan Clark2 in Liverpool

It looks like Woodsorrel.

https://www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk/tips-and-advice_how-to-control-creeping-woodsorrel

Hostafan1

it's a nightmare. It has a "tap root" and snaps off when you try to pull it out. My polytunnel is full of it.

BobTheGardener

Oxalis corniculata, aka creeping woodsorrel:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalis_corniculata

Extremely tricky to eliminate:

https://www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk/tips-and-advice_how-to-control-creeping-woodsorrel

Hostafan1

Whatever you do, never , ever let it set seed

Fallon

Aw thanks everyone. Weedkiller coming out again.

Dovefromabove

It seems impervious to weed killers ... it’d a tenacious little beast ... I just keep my Dutch hoe nice and sharp and keep hoeing so it doesn’t get comfy enough to set seed 😠

Fallon

Thank you everyone.  Was not sure whether to leave it or get rid of it. 

BobTheGardener

Once you have it, you have it forever.  I just do as Dove said and either pull it up or hoe it off whenever I see it which provides enough control to keep it in check.

Dovefromabove

There are some prettier ones .., often grown as houseplants, ground cover or summer bedding ... if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em 😉