Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Polygonaceae ⟩ Rumex acetosa / common sorrel

Rumex acetosa L.

common sorrel (Polygonaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Rumex acetosa is a very common and ecologically versatile species.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-05

 common sorrel / Rumex acetosa: _Rumex acetosa_ is a very common and ecologically versatile species.

The leaves of Rumex acetosa have a distinctively sagittate base (2 pointed lobes extend back alongside the petiole, like the flights on an arrow); they have a pleasantly sour taste.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-05

 common sorrel / Rumex acetosa: The leaves of _Rumex acetosa_ have a distinctively sagittate base (2 pointed lobes extend back alongside the petiole, like the flights on an arrow); they have a pleasantly sour taste.

Rumex acetosa is dioecious; female plants have flowers with 3 deeply divided styles each.

Ben Nevis (VC97: West Inverness); 2018-08-20

 common sorrel / Rumex acetosa: _Rumex acetosa_ is dioecious; female plants have flowers with 3 deeply divided styles each.

In fruit, the tepals of Rumex acetosa become much larger than the achene they surround.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-18

 common sorrel / Rumex acetosa: In fruit, the tepals of _Rumex acetosa_ become much larger than the achene they surround.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne