| Menu list goes here |
Herbal Database Search Results
Back
to: Pathways Main Search
Page For Metaphysical uses
visit The Witchs Haven
Rumex acetosa
| Common name: |
Sorrel |
Family: |
Polygonaceae |
| Author: |
L. |
Botanical references: |
17, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
|
| Known Hazards: |
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[238]. |
| Range: |
Most of Europe, including Britain, temperate Asia, N. America, Greenland. |
| Habitat: |
Meadows, by streams and in open places in woodland[7, 17]. Often found as a weed of acid soils[1]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
5 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 3 |
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Acedera [E], Broadleaf Sorrel [H], Common Sorrel [H,L], French Sorrel [H], Garden Sorrel [B,P,H], Green Sorrel [L], Kuzukulagi [E], Lapathus [E], Shan Ta Huang [E], Shan Tang Ti [E], Sorrel [H,E], Sorrel,Garden [E], Sour Sauce [H], Suan Mo [E], Veldzuring [D], Vinagrella [E], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
acetosa = pre Linnaean name for common sorrel and other plants with acid leaves;
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA
Plants Database |
|
Order: Polygonales. Buckwheat family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
Britain; China; Iran; Spain; Spain(Balearic I); Turkey; Us(Va)
|
Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 0.6m by 0.3m . It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from June to August. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Wind.
The plant not is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
We rate it 5/5 for edibility and
3/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soil.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Meadow, Woodland, Cultivated Beds, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Blonde de Lyon': Meadow, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Low Oxalic Acid': Meadow, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Cultivar 'Polish variety': Meadow, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.
Edible Uses
Curdling agent; Flowers; Leaves; Root; Seed.
Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4, 5, 7, 13, 27]. They make a
thirst-quenching on their own, or can be added to salads, used as a potherb
or pureed and used in soups[183]. 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[12]. 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[9, 21], see the
notes on toxicity above.
Flowers - cooked as a vegetable or used as a garnish[183].
Root - cooked. It is dried, ground into a powder and made into noodles[105].
Seed - raw or cooked[172]. Ground into a powder and mixed with other flours
to make bread[183]. 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[4, 183].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Anthelmintic; Antiscorbutic; Astringent; Depurative; Diuretic; Febrifuge; Homeopathy; Laxative; Refrigerant; Stomachic.
The fresh or dried leaves are astringent, diuretic, laxative and
refrigerant[4, 7, 14, 21, 238]. They are used to make a cooling drink in the
treatment of fevers and are especially useful in the treatment of scurvy[4].
The leaf juice, mixed with fumitory, has been used as a cure for itchy skin
and ringworm[4].
An infusion of the root is astringent, diuretic and haemostatic[4, 7, 14,
21, 218]. It has been used in the treatment of jaundice, gravel and kidney
stones[4]. Both the roots and the seeds have been used to stem
haemorrhages[4]. A paste of the root is applied to set dislocated bones[272].
The plant is depurative and stomachic[7, 14, 21, 218].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used in the treatment
of spasms and skin ailments[9].
Other Uses
Cleanser; Dye; Polish.
Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots,
they do not need a mordant[168].
A grey-blue dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[106].
An infusion of the stems is used as a polish for bamboo and wicker furniture
and also for silver[53, 238].
The juice of the plant removes stains from linen[14] and also ink stains
(but not ball-point ink) from white material[53, 238]. It is sometimes sold
as 'essential salt of lemon'[4].
Cultivation details
A very easily grown and tolerant plant, it succeeds in most soils[37],
preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny
position[200]. Shade tolerant[12]. 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[244].
It is still occasionally cultivated for its edible leaves, there are some
named varieties[183]. 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[4]. 'Blonde de Lyon' has large, only slightly acid leaves and is
much less likely to flower than the type[200]. 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[24].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
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.
Cultivars
- 'Polish variety'
- This is a form given to us by a Polish person on the allotment in London. It rarely ever flowers and usually provides fresh leaves for most of the year. It is possible that our plant is the cultivar 'Blonde de Lyon'.
- 'Pallagi Nagylevelü'
- An improved form developed in Eastern Europe[183].
- 'Nobel'
- The leaves are larger, broader and more succulent than other cultivars[183].
- 'Low Oxalic Acid'
- A highly refined selection, bred for low oxalic acid content[183]. The flavour is only slightly sour[183].
- 'Larghe Foglie Blonde'
- Large pale green leaves that are delicious in salads[183]. It is usually harvested by stripping off the outer leaves, and is not adaptable to cut and come again techniques[183].
Plants will last 3 - 4 years before requiring division[183].
- 'Gourmet Brand Verte'
- Produces large rosettes of tangy foliage. Excellent for spring salads or an early spring cream of sorrel soup[183].
A cold-tolerant form that is ideal for very early spring and very late autumn crops[183].
- 'Blonde de Lyon'
- This form has large, thick, only slightly acid leaves and is much less likely to flower than the type[183, 200]. A tender and mild flavour[183]. The leaves of this cultivar are often available all through the winter, especially if the winter is mild[200].
- 'Belleville' 'De Belleville'
- Large pale-green leaves to 8cm long[183].
A small French cultivar that is hardy, fast growing and well-proven to be productive under almost any condition[183].
Suppliers
Plants For A Future is working with the following groups to try and make these plants easily available. Parts of the proceeds will be donated to so please mention us when ordering.
- Wildwood Nurseries
-
Lower Manor Cottage
Thornbury
Holsworthy
Devon
EX22 7DD
Email: lorna@macace.co.uk
Phone 01409 261324
Fax 01409 261324
Distribution: UK
How to order: Direct from Wildwood by email/phone
Last Updated: March 03
Item:
Rumex acetosa
(French sorrel )
- Cool Temperate Nurseries
-
10 Ivy Grove
Nottingham
NG7 7LZ
Email: philcorbett53@hotmail.com
Phone 0115 847 8302
Fax 0115 847 8302
Distribution: UK
How to order: Direct from Cool Temperate by email/phone
Notes: Many Trees supplied on their own rootstock
Last Updated: April 03
Item:
Rumex acetosa
(Wild Sorrel)
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
PFAF Web Pages
This plant is mentioned in the following web pages
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for the family Polygonaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[5] Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974 ISBN 0-00-219060-5
Edible wild plants found in Britain. Fairly comprehensive, very few pictures and rather optimistic on the desirability of some of the plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
[12] Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2
A handy pocket guide.
[13] Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.
[14] Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
A good herbal.
[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[24] Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
[27] Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8
A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.
[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.
[53] De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.
Interesting reading.
[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
[106] Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975 ISBN 0-87857-090-x
Interesting reading but short on detail.
[168] Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
A very good and readable book on dyeing.
[172] Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
Readers Comments
Plant Rennet
Rich
(pfaf@scs.leeds.ac.uk)
Sat Apr 15 16:59:27
2000
According to
VegSoc,
in the past,
fig leaves, melon, wild thistle and safflower have all supplied plant
rennets for cheese making.
agsieve
also has
information about another plant source, using the juice from the
plant as a coagulant.
Cross references:
Plants:
Asclepias eriocarpa,
Carduus nutans,
Carthamnus tinctorius,
Cirsium arvense,
Cirsium vulgare,
Cynara cardunculus,
Cynara scolymus,
Drosera rotundifolia,
Ficus carica,
Galega officinalis,
Galium verum,
Fumaria officinalis,
Oxalis acetosella,
Pinguicula vulgaris,
Pyrularia edulis ,
Rhus chinensis,
Urtica dioica,
Withania somnifera.
Main Search Page
Bibliography
Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963 This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Rumex+acetosa
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Rumex+acetosa
|
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
(You can copy, distribute, display this works but: Attribution is required, its for Non-Commercial purposes, and it's Share Alike (GNUish/copyleft) i.e. has an identical license.)
We also ask that you let us know (michael@thewitchshaven.com) if
you link to, redistribute, make a derived work or do anything groovy with this information.
|
|
