Seasonal Wild Flowers

Sheep's Sorrel

Rumex acetosella

Polygonaceae

Red Sorrel

April to July

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Sheep's Sorrel

It grows in heaths, sand dunes, shingle beaches and short,

open grasslands.

Sheep's Sorrel is a native, rhizomatous, patch-forming,

perennial herb, growing up to 20cm.

Flowers are small on spikes up to 15cm long.

The fruits are round with no warts.

Leaves are arrow-shaped with the smaller lobes pointing

sideways.

Sheep's Sorrel patch, Heysham Head, Lancs

Fruiting stems

Flowering spike

Flowers

Shining, fruiting spikes

Leaves

Arrow-shaped leaves