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Sheep's sorrel

Taxonomic information

Common Name: Sheep’s Sorrel

Latin Name: Rumex acetosella

Family: Polygonaceae

Description

Despite its name this plant is not readily grazed. Although the plant is edible it is toxic in large quantities due to the high content of oxalic acid in the leaves. The leaves can be used in salads or cooked and have a lemon-sourness to them. As a medicinal herb the plant can be used to detoxify and the leaves have a diuretic effect. Sheep’s sorrel along with common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) are the larval food plants of the small copper butterfly. This butterfly is widespread in the Dales.

This small perennial plant is common throughout the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It can be found at any altitude on well-drained acid soils, or stony and bare ground. As the plant never grows above 30cm tall, it is readily dominated by taller plants and therefore prefers short grassland.

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Yorkshire Dales National Park

Malham Cove, © Príamo Melo.
Hardraw Force waterfall, © Britainonview / Martin Brent.
Limestone pavement, © Britainonview / Martin Brent.
Twisleton Scars, © Martin Priestley.
Swaledale sheep, © Britainonview.
Hay meadow in Malham, © Rick at Fortybelowzero.

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