Scientific Family
Polygonaceae
Synonyms
Acetosella acetosella, Acetosella tenuifolia, Acetosella vulgaris, Rumex angiocarpus, Rumex tenuifolius
Other common names
red sorrel
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4 to 24 inches
Riparian
Yes
Upright perennial with 2-1/2 inches long leaves clustered at the base and along stems; tiny flowers are clustered on elongated stems.
Rhizomatous; erect, simple grooved stems without hairs; arrow-shaped leaves, basal leaves spreading; flowers unisexual (male and female sex on different plants), sepals and petals green or purple, reddish with age.
Habitat
Roadsides, cultivated fields, waste places, disturbed areas, lawns, meadows, railroad gravels, sandy and muddy shores.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
5500
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Male and female flowers are usually on separate plants. Flowers are 6-parted, borne in narrow, elongated flower heads, becoming reddish with age.
Flower color
Green or purplish, reddish
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Upper leaves 1 to 3 inches long and smooth with a pair of lobes at base. Lower leaves are arrow-shaped. The stems are slender and reddish in color. Extensive horizontal roots can reach depths of 5 feet.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Other
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown or dark brown
Seeds are reddish or golden brown with rust brown hulls that adhere to seeds. Seeds can remain viable in soil for 10 to 20 years.