Oxalis species display their circadian rhythm, the approximately 24-hour cycle of activity of the plant. During the daylight hours, the three leaflets are held in a plane where they can collect available photons to power photosynthesis. As evening falls, the leaflets droop and through the nighttime the plant appears wilted. After sunrise, the leaflets are back in their upright position.

The creeping wood sorrel is a survivor which is a kind way of declaring the plant a nuisance, a weed that seems to come up in every flower pot, all over the floor of a greenhouse, and in every joint between patio pavers. Creeping wood sorrel disperses its seeds by explosion.

The capsules are held above the leaves, clear of any obstruction for their airborne birth. As the capsules mature and dry, the outer tissues shrink forming a tension waiting for a breeze, a passing animal, or a weeder's hand. When touched, the capsule explodes flinging the seeds several feet. In the photograph, the yellowed capsules have already dispersed their seeds and two can be seen with the seeds inside waiting for a touch to trigger the event.

It perhaps would not be such a pain if only it stayed in one location, but the creeping wood sorrel sends out stolons that root at each node. In a lawn, it forms colonies; in pots, the stolons creep around and under the roots of the potted plant. And it does not seem to mind in what habitat it might find itself. I have seen the plant in inundated marshes and in dry upland scrubs, in full sun and deep shade.