Home Polygonaceae Rumex

Rumex acetosella L.

Common Name: RED SORREL, SHEEP SORREL
Coefficient of Conservatism: *
Coefficient of Wetness: 3
Wetness Index: FACU
Physiognomy: Ad P-Forb

A pesky Eurasian weed, spreading by long horizontal roots (often mistaken for rhizomes) and forming large colonies. Almost ubiquitous, especially in dry sandy open places (disturbed ground, roadsides, old fields, stabilized dunes); invading forests and better soils. First collected as long ago as 1837 in Monroe Co.

The tepals range from greenish yellow to red and both extremes of color may be found on plants of both sexes. The sour leaves are a pleasant nibble and may be cooked as a vegetable.

R. Schipper

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Counties
Alcona
Alger
Allegan
Alpena
Antrim
Arenac
Baraga
Barry
Bay
Benzie
Berrien
Branch
Calhoun
Cass
Charlevoix
Cheboygan
Chippewa
Clare
Clinton
Crawford
Delta
Dickinson
Emmet
Genesee
Gladwin
Gogebic
Grand Traverse
Gratiot
Hillsdale
Houghton
Huron
Ingham
Ionia
Iosco
Iron
Isabella
Jackson
Kalamazoo
Kalkaska
Kent
Keweenaw
Lake
Lapeer
Leelanau
Lenawee
Livingston
Luce
Mackinac
Manistee
Marquette
Mason
Mecosta
Menominee
Midland
Missaukee
Monroe
Montcalm
Montmorency
Muskegon
Newaygo
Oakland
Oceana
Ogemaw
Ontonagon
Osceola
Oscoda
Otsego
Ottawa
Presque Isle
Roscommon
Saginaw
Sanilac
Schoolcraft
St. Clair
St. Joseph
Van Buren
Washtenaw
Wayne
Wexford

Citation:
MICHIGAN FLORA ONLINE. A. A. Reznicek, E. G. Voss, & B. S. Walters. February 2011. University of Michigan. Web. March, 15, 2025
https://lsa-miflora-p.lsait.lsa.umich.edu/#/record/2302