Sorrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sorrel |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
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Core eudicots
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| Genus: |
Rumex
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R. acetosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Rumex acetosa |
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| Synonyms | |
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Rumex stenophyllus Ledeb. |
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Sorrel (scientific name: Rumex acetosa) is a green plant often grown in gardens. People also call it common sorrel or garden sorrel. It is a type of herb or leaf vegetable, which means its leaves are eaten. Sorrel is also known as spinach dock or narrow-leaved dock. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years.
Contents
What Sorrel Looks Like
Sorrel is a thin plant that can grow up to about 60 centimetres (about 2 feet) tall. It has roots that go deep into the ground. The plant has juicy stems and long, oval-shaped leaves that are safe to eat.
Sorrel Flowers and Seeds
Sorrel plants have reddish-green flowers that grow in groups, like spikes. These flowers bloom in the summer and later turn a purplish color. Interesting fact: the male and female parts of the flower are on different plants. This means you need both a male and a female plant for seeds to form. The ripe seeds are brown and shiny.
How People Use Sorrel
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People have been growing and using common sorrel for hundreds of years. The leaves have a unique sour taste, a bit like kiwifruit or sour wild strawberries.
- Cooking: You can mash the leaves into soups and sauces. They are also great added to salads. A popular dish is sorrel soup, sometimes called "shav."
- Taste: The sour taste comes from a natural chemical called oxalic acid.
Safety Tips for Sorrel
Oxalic acid, which gives sorrel its sharp taste, can be harmful in very large amounts. However, eating small amounts of sorrel, like in a soup or salad, is perfectly safe and harmless. It's important not to eat too much of it.
See also
In Spanish: Rumex acetosa para niños
