Obs. or dial. [‘Bears the same name in Ger., Fr., It., Sp.’ Prior. Etymon uncertain; see the quotations.] The wood sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella).
1543. Traheron, Vigo (1586), 430. Alleyluya … a kind of three leaved grasse, which is sowre in tast.
1551. Turner, Herbal, II. 74. Oxys … is called alleluya, because it appereth about Easter, when Alleluya is song agayn, or wodsore: but it shuld be called wodsour or sorell.
1662. More, Antid. agst. Ath., II. vi. (1712), 57. The Leaf of Balm, and of Alleluia or Wood-Sorrel … are Cardiacal.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., Cuckow-Bread, or Alleluia.
1830. Withering, in Britten, Plant-n., s.v., Alleluia, probably from its being called in the South of Italy Juliola, whence also its officinal name Luzula.
