Edible plant - novice Season - all year Common names common sorrel, sorrel, narrow-leaved dock, spinach dock, garden sorrel, sour ducks, vinegar plant
Scientific name meaning: Rumex is derived from the New Latin word Rumicis, which is an ancient word for the dock and sorrel family. Acetosa means "sour tasting" or "vinegar-like"
Habitat  Most types of grassland - agricultural, gardens, woodland rides, grass verges, parkland.It is native to the British Isles and can be found throughout Europe. |
Overall structure  The basal leaves form a low-growing rosette. In early summer, a tall, sparsely-leave flower stalk emerges. |
Leaves  Each leaf emerging from the basal rosette has a long stalk (petiole) terminating in a single leaf. The oval-shaped leaf can be anywhere from a few centimetres to over 15cm - depending on growing conditions. The leaf blade has two long pointed tails (lobes) on either side of the leaf stalk. |
Stem  The flower stem appears from early summer and can reach 80cm tall. Like other docks and sorrels, common sorrel's stem often has red markings on it. |
Flowers  In early summer, flower spikes will appear. The small, spherical flowers are maroon to crimson red. |
Seeds  The seeds appear in mid- to late-summer and are tinged red. Each individual seed has three wings, which helps with wind distribution. |
Possible lookalikes  Field Bindweed (Convolvulvus arvensis) grows in the same habitat and with a similar leaf-shape to common sorrel. But, it has a trailing, rambling growth habit and numerous leaves along a single leaf stem rather than one leaf. Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum), pictured, leaves have a similar lobed shape. However, its tails are rounded, while common sorrel's are pointed. |
Use as a food Common sorrel has a sharp citrus taste, due to its oxalic acid content (see hazards). Its leaves and flowers are used raw in salads, or to replace lemon or lime in dishes requiring an acidic zing.
The root can be made into noodles, by first drying and grinding into a powder. This powder can also be combined with bread making flours. The juice of common sorrel can curdle milk. Use in herbal medicine and medicine Common sorrel has been used to treat scurvy, poor eyesight, bloat, ringworm, kidney stones, spasms, skin irritation, water retention, constipation and jaundice.
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner.
Hazards High levels of oxalic acid is what gives common sorrel its distinctive acid taste. However, this acid should not be eaten in large amounts. For healthy people, it is fine in moderation. Oxalic acid binds to other nutrients, particularly calcium, making them unavailable for the body to use and causing a deficiency.
Oxalic acid in quantity will also aggravate rheumatism, kidney stones, gout and arthritis. It has anticoagulant effects so those suffering from a blood thinning disorder or taking blood thinners, should avoid common sorrel. Hyperacidity is another condition which would be affected by consumption of increased amounts of oxalic acid.
Other uses Common sorrel is included in the ingredients for a wood and silver polish, and can be used to remove stains on natural cloths. Dyes can be made from various parts of the plant. The roots produce greens, grey and browns, while the leaves and stems produce a blue-grey. Importance to other species The leaves of Common Sorrel are eaten by various butterfly and moths species' larva, including the blood-veined moth
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!
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