Sorrel

The sorrel, also called meadow sorrel, is a perennial, hardy, herbaceous plant; it belongs to the family of the knotweed plants (Polygonaceae). The genus of sorrel plants comprises more than 120 species.

The sorrel can reach a height of up to 1m (although it usually reaches heights of between 20 and 25 cm). The distribution area of the meadow sorrel is the countries of Central and Western Europe, but also the Near East.

The sorrel develops smooth, mostly elongated, dark green leaves. However, they can also take a reddish hue (this hue depends on the oxalic acid content). The plant flowers between May and September. The flowers are inconspicuous, reddish to rust coloured. The sorrel has a brown to brown-black rootstock; it also has a rhizome that acts as a survival organ.

The plant was already known to the Romans and Egyptians in ancient times and was used there as a medicinal and edible plant.

Rumex acetosa is the parent plant of Herba Rumicis acetosae, the medically used sorrel herb.