Sorrel Facts
Sorrel Facts
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| Interesting Sorrel Facts: |
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| Sorrel develops reddish, erect stem covered with deep ridges. Stem starts to branch at top of the plant and grows to the height of 4 to 24 inches. |
| Sorrel has slender, fibrous and well developed taproot that can grow to the depth of 5 feet. |
| Sorrel has smooth, green, arrow-shaped leaves arranged in the form of rosette at the base of the plant. Leaf blade is often covered with white markings. |
| Sorrel is dioecious plant (male and female flowers develop on the separate plants). Male flowers are yellowish-green, female flowers are reddish-colored. Flowers are miniature and arranged in whorled spikes. Sorrel is wind-pollinated plant that blooms from May to September. |
| Fruit of sorrel is golden brown, three-edged achene filled with miniature seed. Wind and insects facilitate dispersal of seed. |
| Common sorrel is rich source of dietary fibers, vitamins A and C and minerals such as iron, magnesium and potassium. |
| Leaves, seed and root of common sorrel are used in human diet. They can be consumed in the form of salads, soups and stews. Common sorrel contains oxalic acid that is responsible for the acidic, kiwi-, wild strawberry- or lemon-like taste. |
| Common sorrel can be also consumed in the form of tea or lemonade-like drink. |
| Common sorrel should be consumed in moderate doses due to high content of oxalic acid that can aggravate existing kidney problems, rheumatism, gout and arthritis. |
| Common sorrel is widely used in folk medicine. Poultices made of leaves are used in treatment of bruises and external inflammations. Tea made of leaves soothes fever, stomach ache, sores and intestinal parasites. Root is used in treatment of diarrhea. |
| Ancient Romans used leaves of sorrel to ease thirst when water was not available. |
| Ancient Chinese used juice squeezed from the sorrel for the removal of the freckles on the skin. This juice was also used for the removal of stains on the linen cloth. |
| Root of wild rhubarb (species of sorrel) contains tannins that are used for tanning of leather. Stem and leaves of this plant are used as source of yellowish-brown dye. |
| Large leaves of broad-leaved dock (species of sorrel) were used for wrapping of butter in the past. |
| Sorrel grows as annual (life span: one year), biennial (life span: 2 years) or perennial (life span: over 2 years) plant, depending on the species. |
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