Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)

Family: Polygonaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (5/5)

Rumex acetosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK 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 species is 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).

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Roots/Tubers, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

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. — Leaves - 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.

Habitat & North American Range

Meadows, by streams and in open places in woodland. Often found as a weed of acid soils. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7)