[citation needed] While 'common wood sorrel' may be used to differentiate it from most other species, this name is also used for North America's Oxalis montana.

[1] It has trifoliate compound leaves, the leaflets heart-shaped and folded through the middle, that occur in groups of three on the long petioles.

Appearing atop the thin stems from spring to midsummer are small open-faced flowers with five petals which are white with reddish venation.

Anemonoides nemorosa however has palmately lobed leaves and does not have true petals but large sepals which are petal-like.

Common wood sorrel is also known as Alleluia because it blossoms between Easter and Pentecost, when the Psalms which end with Hallelujah are sung.