Practical
Plants

Rumex acetosa

Sorrel

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rumex
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Plants can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, which is what gives the leaves of many members of this genus an acid-lemon flavour. Perfectly alright in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since the oxalic acid can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[15].

Edible uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[11][21][22][24][5][18]. They make a thirst-quenching on their own, or can be added to salads, used as a potherb or pureed and used in soups[10]. A delicious lemon-like flavour, liked by most people who try them, they can be rather overpowering in quantity and are more generally used as a flavouring in mixed salads[K]. The leaves can also be dried for later use[4]. The leaves can be available all through the winter, especially in mild weather or if a little protection is given to the plants[K]. The leaves should be used sparingly in the diet[25][13], see the notes on toxicity above. Flowers - cooked as a vegetable or used as a garnish[10]. Root - cooked. It is dried, ground into a powder and made into noodles[2]. Seed - raw or cooked[9]. Ground into a powder and mixed with other flours to make bread[10]. The seed is easy to harvest, but is rather small and fiddly to use[K]. The juice of the leaves can be used as a curdling agent for milks[21][10].

Product or use
Curdling agent
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The fresh or dried leaves are astringent, diuretic, laxative and refrigerant[21][24][6][13][15]. They are used to make a cooling drink in the treatment of fevers and are especially useful in the treatment of scurvy[21]. The leaf juice, mixed with fumitory, has been used as a cure for itchy skin and ringworm[21]. An infusion of the root is astringent, diuretic and haemostatic[21][24][6][13][14]. It has been used in the treatment of jaundice, gravel and kidney stones[21]. Both the roots and the seeds have been used to stem haemorrhages[21]. A paste of the root is applied to set dislocated bones[19]. The plant is depurative and stomachic[24][6][13][14]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[25]. It is used in the treatment of spasms and skin ailments[25].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiscorbutic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Refrigerant
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots, they do not need a mordant[7]. A grey-blue dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[3]. An infusion of the stems is used as a polish for bamboo and wicker furniture and also for silver[23][15]. The juice of the plant removes stains from linen[6] and also ink stains (but not ball-point ink) from white material[23][15]. It is sometimes sold as 'essential salt of lemon'[21].

Product or use
Cleanser
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Polish

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, temperate Asia, N. America, Greenland.
Habitat
Meadows, by streams and in open places in woodland[24][8]. Often found as a weed of acid soils[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Leaves can be harvested within 8 weeks from sowing. Division in spring. Division is very simple at almost any time of the year, though the plants establish more rapidly in the spring. Use a sharp spade or knife to divide the rootstock, ensuring that there is at least one growth bud on each section of root. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Cultivation

A very easily grown and tolerant plant, it succeeds in most soils[20], preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[12]. Shade tolerant[4]. Established plants are tolerant of considerable neglect, surviving even in dense weed growth[K]. Sorrel has been used since ancient times as a food and medicinal plant[17]. It is still occasionally cultivated for its edible leaves, there are some named varieties[10]. The plant stops producing leaves when it flowers in the summer, regrowing after the seed has set. Plants also usually die down in the winter. Cutting down the flowering stem will encourage the growth of fresh young leaves[21]. 'Blonde de Lyon' has large, only slightly acid leaves and is much less likely to flower than the type[12]. This means that the leaves of this cultivar are often available all through the summer and are often also produced throughout the winter, especially if the winter is mild[200, K]. A food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly, it is a good plant to grow in the spring meadow[16]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x

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  4. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

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  6. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

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  8. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  9. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  11. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

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  17. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

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  18. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

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  19. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

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  20. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

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  21. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  22. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  23. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  24. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  25. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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