Rumex acetosella 

'Sheep’s Sorrel'

[Ex. Lincolnshire, England]

Polygonaceae: a short upright perennial to 30cm. found on well-drained acid soils. The flowers are greenish, in loose, slender spikes, appearing from May-August. The arrow-shaped but with basal lobes pointing forwards. Widespread and common in its habitats. Native to Most of Europe, including Britain, temperate Asia, N. America and Greenland.

USES:

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. They make a thirst-quenching on their own, or can be added to salads, used as a potherb or pureed and used in soups. 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. The leaves can also be dried for later use. The leaves are available all through the winter, especially in mild weather or if a little protection is given to the plants.

The fresh or dried leaves have astringent, diuretic, laxative and refrigerant properties. They are used to make a cooling drink in the treatment of fevers and are especially useful in the treatment of scurvy.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Easily grown and tolerant plant, it succeeds in most soil, but preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Established plants are tolerant of considerable neglect, surviving even in dense weed growth.

Surface sow seeds spring in situ. Leaves can be harvested within 8 weeks from sowing.

HARVESTED: 2019

APPROX. 1000+ SEEDS