Mountain sorrel
Oxyria digyna

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a short rootstock 1 cm thick. It forms clumps. The leaf stems are long. The leaves are kidney-shaped and green and succulent. The leaves are mostly at the base and 2.5-5 cm across. The leaves are often tinted red. The stems have few leaves. The stems are 10-30 cm long and the flowers are green or reddish. They are 2 mm across. The fruit becomes red with papery wings. They are 6 mm across.

It is rich in vitamins A, B and C.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows to 64°-80° north in North America. It grows in Arctic and alpine regions in the Rocky Mountains. In the Himalayas it grows between 2,400-5,000 m altitude. It often grows on the gravel bars of creeks and river valleys. It suits hardiness zones 2-8.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Alaska, Arctic, Asia, Balkans, Bhutan, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Central Asia, China, Denmark, Europe, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Himalayas, Iceland, India, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, NW India, Pakistan, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Sikkim, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads. They are often mixed with salt and chilli. More mature leaves are cooked and eaten. They are lightly cooked in soups. They are used for chutney. They are also fermented and eaten like sauerkraut. The seeds are used in small amounts in bread making.

The leaves are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Alpski kislec, Amlu, Boke, Chhoti chukri, Chohahak, Chukru, Chu-Lchum, Chuma-tsi, Chyakulti, Fjellsyre, Huli, Kalashi, Khandui lenbu, Kongolick, Kugylnik, Kungluk, Kungoluk, Kyukyuma, Lamanchu, Lugsho, Nyalowa nyali, Quunarliaraat, Rudjevica, Suchali, Suchli, Youyaha

Synonyms

Acetosa digyna (L.) Mill.; Donia digyna (L.) R. Br.; Donia spaida R. Br.; Lapathum digynum (L.) Lam.; Oxyria elatior R. Br. ex Meissn.; Oxyria reniformis Hook.; Rheum digynus L.; Rumex digynus L.;