Sheep sorrel
Rumex acetosella subsp. angiocarpus

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

An annual plant. It grows to 1 m tall and spreads 1 m wide. The stem is erect and slender. Often the stem lies over at the base. The leaves have long leaf stalks. The leaves are usually narrow and long but older leaves are shaped like an arrow. The flowers are small and white. Male and female flowers are carried on different plants. They are on long stalks. The fruit valves are 5-6 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It occurs naturally in Europe. It prefers a well drained acid soil. It does best in open sunny positions. It is drought and frost resistant. It is naturalised on acid soils in Australia. It grows in dry rather bare places. It grows in Western Mediterranean regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, East Africa, Eswatini, Europe, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mediterranean, Netherlands, North America, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Swaziland, Tasmania, USA, Venezuela, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves and stems are eaten raw in salads. The leaves are boiled, mashed and eaten with butter. They can be used to make soup. The leaves can contain oxalic acid causing them to burn the throat. Large amounts of raw leaves should not therefore be eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

It is grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Adeas de pajaro, Agricas, Manigrells, Pa-i-vi, Vinagrella, Vinagreras, Vinagrillos

Synonyms

Acetosa angiocarpa (Murb.) Holub.; Acetosella angiocarpa (Murb.) A. Love; Rumex angiocarpus Murb.;