Garden Sorrel
Rumex acetosa
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Labrador, Morocco, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Rumex
- Species:
- Rumex acetosa
- USDA Symbol:
- RUAC2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- red, green
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Copper (Lycaena cuprea)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers nutrient-rich soils in meadows and grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in cool conditions. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI