garden sorrel

herb

Also known as: Rumex acetosa

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a hardy perennial herb from the buckwheat family, widely cultivated in temperate regions for its edible leaves. These leaves have a distinct sour and pungent flavor due to oxalic acid.1

Young leaves are suitable for salads and garnishes, while mature leaves can be cooked as a vegetable, used to flavor sauces and omelets, or form the base of creamed sorrel soup. Other common varieties include French sorrel and red-veined sorrel, all originating from Europe and Asia. The name "wood sorrel" refers to plants in a different genus, Oxalis, which also have sour leaves.1

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sorrel
Other common species are garden sorrel (R. acetosa), French sorrel (R. scutatus), and red-veined sorrel (R. sanguineus), all of which are hardy perennials distributed throughout Europe and Asia. Garden sorrel, like sheep sorrel, has become naturalized in North America.
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Other common species are garden sorrel (R. acetosa), French sorrel (R. scutatus), and red-veined sorrel (R. sanguineus), all of which are hardy perennials distributed throughout Europe and Asia. Garden sorrel, like sheep sorrel, has become naturalized in North America.
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