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Rumex acetosa (Common sorrel)

Other names: Sour dock, Sour grass, Sour leek, Patriot's blood, Sharp dock, Sorrel dock, Garden sorrel, Green sauce, Sorrel

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Species
R. acetosa is an erect, clump-forming perennial with edible, oblong, mid-green leaves and narrow panicles of red flowers in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1 m 0.1 m 2-5 years
3 ft 0 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in any well-drained soil in full sun.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Wildflower, Wildlife, Flavouring food and drinks

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

A1, A2, A3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming

Native to

Europe, Great Britain, Central Asia, China, Russia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Can be difficult to eradicate or control. Cut back after flowering and prior to seed setting to avoid self-seeding.

Propagation methods

Seed

Propagation

This plant usually dies after flowering and producing seeds. However, seeds germinate easily and plenty of seedlings will grow around the original plant.

Pests

Slugs

Aphids

Diseases

Generally disease free.

Plant in good soil in full sun

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (6)

Rumex

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Rumex acetosella
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Rumex acetosella Sheep's sorrel
Rumex acetosa
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Rumex acetosa Common sorrel
Rumex sanguineus
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Rumex sanguineus Bloody dock
Rumex obtusifolius
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Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved dock
Rumex scutatus
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Rumex scutatus French sorrel
Rumex hydrolapathum
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Rumex hydrolapathum Great water dock
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Companion plants (1)

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Petroselinum crispum
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Petroselinum crispum Curley leaf parsley
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Related content

Discuss Rumex acetosa with other Shoot members

Rumex acetosa

Shoot User
782 0
The sharp-tasting leaves remind some of vinegar or acetic acid, hence the species name, acetosa. The leaves can be eaten in a salad, and farm workers used to chew them for refreshment. The taste is also reflected in the common name as 'sorrel' means 'sour-juiced'. The plant's many local names, including sour sops and sour dogs, also have this connotation.
Posted: Monday 18th of May 2009 08:12 AM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 03:22 AM
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