Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration (THMR).

The fresh or dried leaves are astringent, diuretic, laxative and refrigerant. They have been used in the treatment of scurvy.
Plants for a Future at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+acetosa link

Other use

Used in mixed salads. Lemon-like flavour.
Plants for a Future at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+acetosa link

Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots. A grey-blue dye is obtained from the leaves and stems. The juice of the plant removes stains from linen and also some ink stains from white cloth.
Plants for a Future at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+acetosa link

Toxicity

Humans/Pets:Harmful if eaten in large amounts. -HTA guidelines (Leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since they contain oxalic acid)
HTA Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants, 3rd Edition (2022)

Geographical distribution

  • Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco
  • Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, North Caucasus
  • Asia-Temperate, Caucasus, Transcaucasus
  • Asia-Temperate, China
  • Asia-Temperate, Eastern Asia, Japan
  • Asia-Temperate, Eastern Asia, Korea
  • Asia-Temperate, Eastern Asia, Taiwan
  • Asia-Temperate, Russian Far East
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Afghanistan
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iran
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, India
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, Nepal
  • Asia-Tropical, Indian Subcontinent, Pakistan
  • Australasia, Australia, Western Australia
  • Europe, Eastern Europe
  • Europe, Middle Europe
  • Europe, Northern Europe
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Great Britain
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, France
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Rumex acetosa L.

Family: POLYGONACEAE
Genus: Rumex
Species: acetosa L.
Common names: Garden sorrel
Pharmacopoeia Londinensis name: Acetosa, Oxylapathum, Acetosa sive Oxalis
Distribution summary: N.Africa, Eurasia, Australia, Pacific
Conservation status (IUCN Red List): Least Concern
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Rough grassland, coastal cliff
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Pharmacopoeia Londinensis 1618 'Leaves' (HSE 6)
Flowering months: May, June, July
Reason for growing: Medicinal, traditional herbal registration


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