Crossword puzzles are a fun and engaging way to challenge your vocabulary and general knowledge. But sometimes clues can seem cryptic or confusing. The “wood sorrels” clue is one such example that has stumped many solvers over the years. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind this tricky crossword clue and tips for solving it.
What Are Wood Sorrels?
Wood sorrels are a group of edible plants from the Oxalis genus that have a pleasant, lemony flavor. There are over 900 species of wood sorrels, many of which are native to North and South America. Some of the most common varieties include yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta), violet wood sorrel (Oxalis violacea), and creeping wood sorrel (Oxalis corniculata).
These low-growing perennials thrive in wooded areas and moist soil. They produce trefoil clover-like leaves and small 5-petaled flowers that range in color from white to yellow to purple. The plant gets its sour flavor from oxalic acid. Historically, wood sorrels have been used as a food source and as a folk medicine to treat various ailments.
Why It’s a Popular Crossword Clue
There are a few reasons “wood sorrels” has become a go-to crossword puzzle clue over the years
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It’s a relatively obscure term that many solvers may not be familiar with offhand, making it a good challenging clue.
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The word “sorrels” is unusual and often confused with similar words like “sorrows” or “morsels.” This adds to its trickiness.
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Its botanical connection gives constructors an opportunity to theme a puzzle around plants herbs etc.
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While not terribly common in everyday language, it’s a valid English word found in dictionaries, making it fair game for crosswords.
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The two word phrase fits nicely in standard 15×15 crossword grids.
Probably for these reasons and more, clever crossword writers keep wood sorrels in their clue bank to stump and educate solvers.
Helpful Tips for Solving the Clue
When trying to crack the “wood sorrels” crossword clue, keep the following tips in mind:
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Look at the number of letters – common answers are OXALIS, OCAS or OKAS.
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Consider crossings – nearby answers often provide useful context clues about a word’s meaning or topic.
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Think about categories – if the theme is plants or herbs, wood sorrels becomes a likely candidate.
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Use wordplay – the “wood” part of the clue tells you it’s probably some type of plant.
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Say it out loud – hearing “wood sorrels” pronounced may jog your memory if you’ve heard the word before.
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Eliminate odd words – “sorrels” probably doesn’t mean sorrows or morsels in this context.
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Search dictionaries – if still stumped, look up “sorrels” for guidance on less common meanings.
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Research clues – check crossword clue databases for other examples of this clue to pick up pattern ideas.
With the popularity of word games and crosswords, chances are you’ll see “wood sorrels” pop up again. Now that you understand why it’s a tricky clue and have some handy solving strategies, you’ll be better prepared to conquer it next time!
4 letter answer(s) to wood sorrelsOCAS
- South American wood sorrel cultivated for its edible tubers
Writing the Perfect Crossword Puzzle Clue | The New Yorker
FAQ
What plant genus includes wood sorrel?
wood sorrel, any of several flowering plants of the genus Oxalis (family Oxalidaceae). The common wood sorrel (O. acetosella) of Europe and parts of Asia is a small stemless plant with cloverlike three-parted leaves that arise from a creeping scaly rootstock.
What is the hardest day for crossword puzzle clue?
The crosswords are designed to increase in difficulty throughout the week, with the easiest on Monday and the most difficult on Saturday. The larger Sunday crossword, which appears in The New York Times Magazine, is an icon in American culture; it is typically intended to be a “Wednesday or Thursday” in difficulty.
Who is the Greek goddess of necessity crossword?
Ananke. Ananke, in Greek literature, necessity or fate personified.
What is a Turkish title?
In place of surnames, Muslims in the Empire carried titles such as “Sultan”, “Paşa”, “Ağa”, “Hoca”, “Bey”, “Hanım”, “Efendi”, etc. These titles either defined their formal profession (such as Pasha, Hoca, etc.) or their informal status within the society (such as Bey, Agha, Hanım, Efendi, etc.).
How many letters are in wood sorrel crossword clue?
Answers for WOOD SORREL crossword clue, 6 letters. Search for crossword clues found in the Daily Celebrity, NY Times, Daily Mirror, Telegraph and major publications. Find clues for WOOD SORREL or most any crossword answer or clues for crossword answers.
What is the answer to wood sorrel?
Here is the answer for the crossword clue Wood sorrel . We have found 40 possible answers for this clue in our database. Among them, one solution stands out with a 98 % match which has a length of 3 letters. We think the likely answer to this clue is OCA. You can click on the tiles to reveal letter by letter before uncovering the full solution.
What is the crossword clue for wood sorrel?
The most common solutions for the crossword clue “WOOD SORREL” are OCA with 3 letters, OKA with 3 letters. Wood sorrel is a plant species in the Oxalidaceae family, commonly known by its three-letter acronym OCA, as well as its six-letter scientific name OXALIS. It is also known by its three-letter acronym OKA.
What is wood sorrels last seen in Telegraph cross Atlantic?
Here is the answer for the crossword clue Wood sorrels last seen in Telegraph Cross Atlantic puzzle. We have found 40 possible answers for this clue in our database. Among them, one solution stands out with a 98 % match which has a length of 4 letters. We think the likely answer to this clue is OCAS.
Where can I find wood sorrel?
Wood sorrel can be found in thick woodland areas, both coniferous and deciduous, where the ground cover is predominantly moss. It is most common in areas where it is prolific, but can also be found in smaller quantities in other wooded areas. In Galloway, it can be found all year round.
What is wood sorrel used for?
Wood sorrel has several uses. In central and southern England, it is used as an indicator species for ancient woodland. It also thrives in mature plantation forestry, especially in Scotland, given the forest isn’t too dense. Ecology-wise, it is a perennial plant that spreads by creeping rhizomes and blooms early in the spring.