Scientific name: Rumex acetosa L.
Common name: Common Sorrel, Wild Sorrel
Description
Habit: A perennial, to 80 cm high.
Stems: Erect, sparingly branched.
Leaves: Alternate, 3-12 cm long, undivided, untoothed, acid to the taste, arrow-shaped with 2 pointed basal lobes pointing outwards; stipules united to form a sheath surrounding stem or leaf stalk.
Flowers: Actinomorphic, stalked, in whorls forming dense terminal and axillary panicles; tepals 6, red, strongly keeled, not winged, inner 3 larger and enlarging in fruit but without swellings; stamens 6; ovary superior, 1-celled, style 3.
Fruits: A small nut, 3-angled, narrow.
Habitat: In a variety of habitats from roadsides and heathy grassland to sand-dunes and mountain cliffs; subsp. hibernicus occurs on coastal dunes; subsp. biformis occus on sea-cliffs.
Distribution: Subsp. acetosa is found throughout the region; subsp. hibernicus has been found between Kilfinora and Killinaboy and perhaps on Inishmore; subsp. biformis occurs at the Cliffs of Moher.
Native status: Native
Of conservation interest: R. acetosa subsp. hibernicus is of conservation interest.
Subspecies
Rumex acetosa subsp. acetosa
R. acetosa subsp. hibernicus (Rech. f.) Ackeroyd
R. acetosa subsp. biformis (Lange) Valdés, Berm. & Castrov.
Subsp. acetosa is generally larger than the other two subspecies, is, more or less hairless and has thin non-succulent leaves. Subsp. hibernicus differs by having short pubescent hairs, succulent leaves and the inflorescence being narrower and denser. Subsp. biformis is glabrous and has succulent leaves.