This article is about the common sorrel plant. For related sorrel plants, see Rumex. For Jamaican red sorrel, see Roselle (plant). For the Oxalis plant, see Wood sorrel. For the horse coat colour, see Sorrel (horse).
Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa), also known as spinach dock, is a perennialherb that is cultivated as a garden herb or leaf vegetable (pot herb). This is not related to Jamaican sorrel (roselle).
Sorrel is a slender plant about 60 cm high, with roots that run deep into the ground, as well as juicy stems and edible, oblong leaves. The lower leaves are 7 to 15 cm in length, slightly arrow-shaped at the base, with very long petioles. The upper ones are sessile, and frequently become crimson. The leaves are eaten by the larvae of several species of Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) including the Blood-vein moth.
It has whorled spikes of reddish-green flowers, which bloom in June and July, becoming purplish. The stamens and pistils are on different plants (dioecious); the ripe seeds are brown and shining.
