Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
What it is: Sheep sorrel belongs to the buckwheat family. Common names are: field sorrel, red top sorrel, sour grass and dog-eared sorrel. It is a slender, smooth, sour tasting perennial and the 4-12in. leaves are arrow-shaped. Tiny flowers in green heads, interrupted on stalk; turning reddish or yellowish; April-September. Found in acidic soils.
Unproven medical virtues: Leaf tea of this common European alien traditionally used for fevers, inflammation, and scurvy. Fresh leaves are considered cooling and a diuretic. Sheep sorrel has been observed by researchers to break down tumors and alleviate some chronic conditions and degenerative diseases.
Where to find it: Sheep sorrel grows in pastures add dry gravely places in most parts of the globe (except the tropics), and is abundant in Britain (sometimes known there as field sorrel). Considered a common weed in the U.S., sheep sorrel thrives with little moisture and is a good indicator of acidic soils.
When to harvest: The entire plant may be harvested. Or, just the leaves and stems may be collected, thus allowing the plants to be harvested later. The plant portion of the sheep sorrel may be harvested throughout spring, summer, and fall—to be taken early in the morning, after the dew has evaporated, or late in the afternoon.
What it is: Sheep sorrel belongs to the buckwheat family. Common names are: field sorrel, red top sorrel, sour grass and dog-eared sorrel. It is a slender, smooth, sour tasting perennial and the 4-12in. leaves are arrow-shaped. Tiny flowers in green heads, interrupted on stalk; turning reddish or yellowish; April-September. Found in acidic soils.
Unproven medical virtues: Leaf tea of this common European alien traditionally used for fevers, inflammation, and scurvy. Fresh leaves are considered cooling and a diuretic. Sheep sorrel has been observed by researchers to break down tumors and alleviate some chronic conditions and degenerative diseases.
Where to find it: Sheep sorrel grows in pastures add dry gravely places in most parts of the globe (except the tropics), and is abundant in Britain (sometimes known there as field sorrel). Considered a common weed in the U.S., sheep sorrel thrives with little moisture and is a good indicator of acidic soils.
When to harvest: The entire plant may be harvested. Or, just the leaves and stems may be collected, thus allowing the plants to be harvested later. The plant portion of the sheep sorrel may be harvested throughout spring, summer, and fall—to be taken early in the morning, after the dew has evaporated, or late in the afternoon.