sheep's sorrel
Rumex acetosella · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (299 studies) · ★★★★★
Sheep's sorrel, scientifically known as Rumex acetosella, is a perennial herb characterized by its distinctively tart, acidic flavor. Found primarily in acidic soils and woodland clearings, this plant contains oxalic acid. Historically used in traditional medicine, it serves as a notable botanical specimen in various ecological and herbal studies.
Names
Common Names
- field sorrel
- red sorrel
- sheep sorrel
- sourweed
- Sheep's Sorrel
- Sheep's Sorrel agg.
- sorrel
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Acetosella vulgaris
- Acetosella tenuifolia
- Rumex tenuifolius
- Acetosa angiocarpa
- Rumex angiocarpus
- Vinagrerita
- Acetosella acetosella
- Vinagrita
- Rumex multifidus
- Acedorilla
- Acetosa acetosella
- Acetosa hastata
German:
- Kleiner Sauerampfer
- Kleiner Ampfer
- Kleiner Sauer-Ampfer
- kleiner Wiesensauerampfer
- Kleiner Sauer-Ampfer
- Kleiner Sauerampfer
French:
- Petite oseille
- petite oseille
- oseille
- patience petite oseille
- petite oseille
- rumex petite-oseille
- surette
- vignette
- Rumex petite oseille
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Rumex acetosellaSynonyms
- Acetosa acetosella
- Lapathum acetosella
- Pauladolfia acetosella
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Rumex, specifically as the species Rumex acetosella.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Polygonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rumex | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated primarily within the regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing across various landscapes in Denmark and Finland. Its presence extends to the island territories of the Faroe Islands and Iceland. Additionally, the species is documented throughout Great Britain. Together, these locations define its northern geographical range.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Svalbard | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
Chemicals
Rumex acetosella has 30 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include apigenin, luteolin, Anthraquinones, Antioxidant Activity, Ash.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| apigenin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthraquinones | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant Activity | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ash | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CALCIUM OXALATE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CALCIUM OXIDE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CHRYSOPHANIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chrysophanol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coumarins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
apigenin
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
- Phytochemical analysis : PCA
luteolin
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
- Phytochemical analysis : PCA
Anthraquinones
- Dr. Duke
Antioxidant Activity
- Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR
Ash
- Dr. Duke
CALCIUM OXALATE
- Dr. Duke
CALCIUM OXIDE
- Dr. Duke
CHRYSOPHANIC ACID
- Dr. Duke
Chrysophanol
- Dr. Duke
Coumarins
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Rumex acetosella has 264 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-HT-Inhibitor, AGEs-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Acidifier, Acidulant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 5-HT-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AGEs-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acaricide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acidifier | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acidulant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Additive | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelochemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rumex acetosella has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dysentery, enteritis, jaundice.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| dysentery | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| enteritis | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |