Garden sorrel, Dock, Supermarket sorrel, Sheep's sorrel
Rumex acetosa

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A small plant. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 50-100 cm high and spreads 30-40 cm wide. It forms clumps. The leaves are broad and spear-shaped. The veins run from the midrib to the edge of the leaf. The ears at the base of the leaf are smaller. The leaves are 15 cm long. The flowers are small and red on long stalks. There are some named cultivated varieties.

There are about 200 Rumex species. Contains vitamins A, C, K, E, B, proteins, tannins, fiber, phenolic acids (gallic, ellagic acid, protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic, vanillic, synaptic). Pro anthocyanidins are epicatechin and epicatechin derivatives, oxalic acid

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It is cultivated in Java. It grows in wetlands. In Pakistan it grows between 2,000-4,500 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 6-7. It grows in Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Europe (country/location of origin), Falklands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Greenland, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, NW India, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Siberia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves can be eaten raw but are often steamed or lightly boiled then eaten. They are eaten in salads or as a potherb. They are used in soups and omelettes and sauces. They are used in chutneys. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable or used as a garnish. The juice of the leaves is used to curdle milk. The seeds can be ground and made into bread.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is grown as a vegetable and sold in nurseries and supermarkets. It is sold in local markets

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, seeds, vegetable,stems

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings or division. It is also grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Abjie, Acedera, Acetosa, Aceturia, Acitazzu, Agrietes, Amile ghans, Asetou, Auredduci, Chukel, Chuki, Eksi labada, Engsyre, Erba putta, Hapuoblikas, Hummaid, Khatta patta, Kiselets, Kiselica, Kishlek, Kozina, Kvasinka, Ljutika, Mzjauna, Navadna kislica, Oblikas, Oseille, Pane e vino, Podoi, Rugstynes, Sariplar, Saurampfer, Sghavel, Shchavyey, Stiav, Suan mo, Tarrago, Trtnjuk, Veldzuring, Vinagrera, Zezzora

Synonyms

Acetosa sagittata; Acetosa rugosa Campd.