How to identify Garden sorrel (Rumex acetosella)

How to identify Garden sorrel (Rumex acetosella)

Garden sorrel, also known as Field sorrel

Garden sorrel features a base cluster of leaves with some instances producing slender, upright flowering stalks, which exhibit a reddish tint and branch at their apex. The plant stands at approximately 18 inches (45 cm) tall. The sexually distinct blooms appear predominantly from March through November, with females showing red flowers and males displaying yellowish-green ones. Post pollination, these flowers give way to red achene fruits.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Evergreen, Deciduous

Quickly Identify Garden sorrel

Slender, angular flowering stalks with reddish tint and branching apex.

Distinct arrow-shaped leaves with halberd-like base lobes, smooth texture.

Stem grows 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) tall, angular, rough-textured with prominent ridges.

Sexually distinct flowers: red for females, yellowish-green for males.

Blooms measure 1/8 inch (3 mm) across, lack discernible scent, bloom late spring to early summer.

Detailed Traits of Garden sorrel

Leaf Features

The leaves of garden sorrel are typically 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and distinctively arrow-shaped with smooth margins. Each leaf has two small lobes at the base, giving it a somewhat halberd-like appearance. The leaves are usually green, with a smooth texture on both surfaces. Veins are prominent and structured in a typical dicotyledonous pattern, radiating outward from the central vein. These features make the leaves identifiable and unique.

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Flower Features

Garden sorrel exhibits flowers that are either red (female) or yellowish-green (male). The tiny flowers are arranged on slender, angular or ridged flowering stalks, which terminate in a panicle with spike-like racemes. Each flower measures about 1/8 inch (3 mm) across, and they lack a discernible scent. The blooming period for garden sorrel typically occurs from late spring to early summer, making identification easier during these months.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of garden sorrel is slender, angular, and often ridged, typically growing to a height of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm). Its texture is somewhat rough due to the ridges, and it exhibits a branching pattern that terminates in a panicle. The stem is usually green but may have a reddish tint, especially near the base. The angularity and ridging are key characteristics that aid in the identification of garden sorrel.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

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Garden sorrel and Their Similar Plants

Curly dock vs. Garden sorrel: What's The Difference?

Rumex crispus, commonly known as curly dock, is a perennial plant that grows in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a very adaptable plant, flourishing in a variety of different habitats including roadsides, the edges of woodlands, meadows, and shorelines. Some moth species like to lay their eggs on curly dock leaves.

Redvein dock vs. Garden sorrel: What's The Difference?

People grow redvein dock (Rumex sanguineus) primarily as ornamental foliage. It’s indigenous to Eurasia and northern Africa. Although it’s edible, it should only be eaten in small amounts because it contains oxalic acid, which can cause stomach distress. Its tender young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, but older leaves are bitter and tough. It tastes like chard or spinach.

Heartwing Sorrel vs. Garden sorrel: What's The Difference?

Heartwing Sorrel (Rumex hastatulus) is a plant species related to buckwheat native to the eastern and southern United States. Heartwing Sorrel grows in river valleys, meadows, and waste areas. This species is poisonous.

Buckler-leaved sorrel vs. Garden sorrel: What's The Difference?

Rumex scutatus is a plant in the buckwheat family, used as a culinary herb. Its common names include French sorrel, buckler sorrel, shield-leaf sorrel, and sometimes the culinary name "green-sauce". As a culinary herb, it is used mainly in salads. The flavour of French sorrel is slightly bitter or tangy, spiced with a hint of lemon; the sharp flavour is due to oxalic acid. French sorrel is hardy in most regions, tolerating frost, full sun and short dry spells. It grows quickly to a clump up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) in diameter, with long leaves up to 10 centimetres (4 in) in width. It is sometimes preferred for culinary uses to Rumex acetosa, garden sorrel.

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Key Facts About Garden sorrel

Attributes of Garden sorrel

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Flower Size

0.5 mm to 1.3 mm

Flower Color

Red

Yellow

Green

Fruit Color

Red

Burgundy

Stem Color

Green

Red

Leaf type

Evergreen, Deciduous

The Toxicity of Garden sorrel

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Garden sorrel

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Pinks, cacti, and allies

Family

Buckwheat

Genus

Docks

Species

Garden sorrel (Rumex acetosella)

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Distribution Map of Garden sorrel

Garden sorrel's geographical presence spans across multiple continents, being native to regions in Europe, Asia, and parts of Northern Africa. Garden sorrel also thrives in other domains, adapting to various climates and territories beyond its native range, including large areas of North and South America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. In certain areas, garden sorrel is sometimes thought to be a robust presence, potentially exerting influence on native ecosystems, especially in locales such as Australia and New Zealand where its vigorous growth habit may have an impact on local flora.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Garden sorrel

A Comprehensive Guide to Garden sorrel How to Grow and Care for Garden sorrel