Weedy Connections- African Lovegrass

Sorrel

Rumex acetosella

Origin: Europe; now cosmopolitan especially in temperate regions.

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Seeding Sorrel, Wollombi, NSW

Family: Polygonaceae.

Known Hazards: Plants can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, which is what gives the leaves of many members of this genus an acid-lemon flavour. Perfectly alright in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since the oxalic acid can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.

Habitat: Heaths and acid grassland. A weed of acid soils.

Edibility Rating: 4 (1-5)

Medicinal Rating: 3 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics: Variable slender prostrate to ascending perennial to 50 cm high. Leaves with blade to 10cm long on stalk about 1 cm long. Seeds smooth and shiny, 1–1.5 mm long.
Flowers: In slender terminal heads that mature reddish. Flowers spring to early summer.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by rhizomatous growth and spear-shaped leaves with distinct basal lobes (see photo).

Dispersal: Spread by seed and rhizomes.

Visual reference for the terms used in the identification

Edible Uses

Leaves; Root; Seed. Leaves - raw or cooked. A delicious lemon-like flavour, most people consider them too strong to use in quantity, but they are excellent as a flavouring in mixed salads. The leaves should only be used in small quantities due to the oxalic acid content. The leaves can be used as thickeners in soups etc, they can also be dried for later use. Root - cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and made into noodles. Seed - raw or cooked. Easy to harvest, but the seed is rather small and fiddly to use. A drink similar to lemonade (but without the fizz) is made by boiling up the leaves.

Medicinal Uses

Astringent; Diuretic; Poultice. Sorrel is a detoxifying herb, the fresh juice of the leaves having a pronounced diuretic effect. Like other members of the genus, it is mildly laxative and holds out potential as a long term treatment for chronic disease, in particular that of the gastro-intestinal tract. The plant is also part of a North American formula called essiac which is a popular treatment for cancer. Its effectiveness has never been reliably proven or disproven since controlled studies have not been carried out. The other herbs included in the formula are Arctium lappa, Ulmus rubra and Rheum palmatum. The whole plant, used in the fresh state, is diaphoretic, diuretic and refrigerant. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers, inflammation and scurvy. The leaf juice is useful in the treatment of urinary and kidney diseases. A leaf poultice is applied to tumours, cysts etc, and is a folk treatment for cancer. A tea made from the roots is astringent and is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and excessive menstrual bleeding.

Other Uses

Dye. Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots, they do not need a mordant.

Notes: Widespread and common. Usually germinates in autumn or winter. Seldom grazed and may be locally dominant in temperate pastures. Contains oxalates and is suspected of poisoning stock. Also a weed of crops in temperate Australia. Has been used as a vegetable.

References:

Weeds Australia
Plants For A Future

PlantNET

Juvenile specimen, Bundanon, NSW

Field of flowering Sorrel, Linconshire, UK. Image by Eco Heathen

Australia > All Weeds > Sorrel

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