Rumex acetosa L.
Common Sorrel
Common sorrel is a native perennial herb of the dock family, easily told from its relatives by its tender, arrow-shaped leaves whose two basal lobes point backwards down the stalk. It forms a basal rosette and, in early summer, sends up slender flowering stems that carry whorls of tiny reddish-green flowers, which mature to a rich rusty-red and wash whole meadows with a warm reddish haze when the plant grows in quantity.
About
Common sorrel is a native perennial herb of the dock family, easily told from its relatives by its tender, arrow-shaped leaves whose two basal lobes point backwards down the stalk. It forms a basal rosette and, in early summer, sends up slender flowering stems that carry whorls of tiny reddish-green flowers, which mature to a rich rusty-red and wash whole meadows with a warm reddish haze when the plant grows in quantity.
It is widespread throughout Britain in unimproved meadows, pastures, grassy banks, road verges and open grassland, generally on neutral to slightly acid soils. A characteristic plant of traditional hay meadows, it is a familiar component of native meadow seed mixes and grassland restoration. The leaves have a sharp, lemony, slightly tart flavour from oxalic acid and have long been gathered for salads and sauces. Sorrel is also an important food plant for the caterpillars of the small copper butterfly and several moths.
Also known as
Garden Dock · Garden Sorrel · Sorrel · Sorrel Dock · Sour Dock · green sorrel · meadow sorrel
Synonyms
Acetosa pratensis pratensis · Acetosa sentata · Rumex acetosa planellii · Rumex intermedius · Rumex platyphyllus · Rumex pseuoacetosa · Rumex tuberosus
In our seed mixes
- BFS 1 – Traditional Hay Meadow Wildflower Mix
- BFS 11 – Coastal Meadow Grassland Seed Mix
- BFS 11a – Coastal Floodplain Grassland Meadow Seed Mix
- BFS 12 – Green Roof Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 120 – Wildlife Wildflower Seed Mix for Bees, Birds and Butterflies- 100% Flora
- BFS 13 – Tussocky Grassland Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS 3 – Floodplain Meadow Grassland Seed Mix
- BFS 4 – Heavy Clay Soil Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS 8 – High Nutrient Initial Establishment Wildflower Grassland Mix – 50% Flora
- BFS1(F) – Traditional Hay Meadow 100% Wildflower
- BFS11(F)- Coastal Meadow 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS11A(F)- Coastal Floodplain 100% Meadow Mix
- BFS12(F) – Greenroof 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS13(F) – Tussocky Grassland 100% Wildflower Meadow Mix
- BFS3(F)-Floodplain 100% Meadow Grassland Mix
- BFS4(F) – Heavy Clay Soil 100% Wildflower Seed Mix
- BFS8(F) – High Nutrient Initial Establishment 100% Wildflower Mix
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.