Rumex acetosa - Common Sorrel
This tall member of the dock family, with its long, thin
leaves, has an acidic taste. The flower heads turn from green through orange
and red to brown during May, June and July.
Riverside margins that have been fenced off to keep cattle
and sheep out make ideal habitat for this perennial plant, which also occurs
in many permanent pastures.
Apart from the well known broad-leaved dock, whose leaves
are used to aleviate nettle stings, other members of the dock family include
French sorrel, a small, slimmer relative of common sorrel, and the invasive
alien plant Japanese knotweed.
Wildflowers of Wales
This wildflower is one of many dozens that are featured in the First Nature Guide to the
Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales, Volume 3 - Mountains, Moorland and Meadows.
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