sheep's sorrel

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• field sorrel
• red sorrel
• sheep sorrel
• sourweed
• Sheep's Sorrel
• Sheep's Sorrel agg.
• sorrel

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acetosa acetosella
• Lapathum acetosella
• Pauladolfia acetosella

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rumex acetosella is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to significant mountain heights. It is capable of thriving in lowland habitats, yet it demonstrates remarkable adaptability to varied terrains, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1800 m AMSL. The species exhibits an extensive vertical range, reaching a maximum elevation of 3900 m AMSL, which allows it to colonize diverse ecological zones across a wide gradient of altitudes.

Elevational range max:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Rumex acetosella are characterized by a stable chromosomal constitution, specifically defined by its ploidy level. The species is consistently identified as a diploid organism, possessing a ploidy value of 2. This diploid nature indicates that the plant maintains two complete sets of chromosomes within its somatic cells, providing a foundational genetic structure that supports its reproductive stability and phenotypic expression. This chromosomal arrangement is a key aspect of its cytogenetic profile, distinguishing its genomic organization within the Rumex genus.

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Rumex acetosella is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It adopts a hemicryptophyte life form, meaning its perennuating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable conditions. In terms of its foliage, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, maintaining its structural presence through varying environmental shifts.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rumex acetosella is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial, independent plant that does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant is self-supporting rather than a climber, exhibiting an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it reaches a minimum height of 0.05 m, with a mean height of approximately 0.155 m, and can grow to a maximum height of 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.155 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rumex acetosella is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, meaning it relies on soil nutrients rather than capturing insects. It does not function as a nitrogen fixer. The plant's foliage follows an alternate leaf arrangement, with morphological dimensions showing significant variability; the leaves typically maintain a mean length of 3 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 7 cm) and a mean width of 0.65 cm (ranging from 0.2 cm to 3 cm), resulting in an average leaf size of approximately 2.04667 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 240.91 cm²/g, reflecting its metabolic efficiency and leaf structure.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

2.04667 cm²

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.65 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

240.91 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rumex acetosella is characterized by a sexual process that is dioecious, with asexual reproduction being entirely absent. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in July, featuring small green flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence. These flowers are quite diminutive, ranging in length from 0.05 cm to 0.07 cm. The pollination syndrome is primarily abiotic, relying on wind to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, which can occur through self-fertilization, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits known as achenes. These fruits are minute, with an average length of approximately 0.14 cm (ranging from 0.1 cm to 0.15 cm) and an average width of 0.1 cm. Each fruit can contain a high volume of seeds, typically ranging between 101 and 1000 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are very small, characterized by a mean length of 1.6 mm, a mean volume of 0.34 mm³, and a mean mass of approximately 0.00054075 g (with a maximum mass of 0.004 g and a minimum of 0.0001 g). Finally, the dispersal syndrome is anemochorous, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower length max:

0.07 cm

Flower length min:

0.05 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.15 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.141666666666667 cm

Fruit length min:

0.1 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.1 cm

Inflorescence :

raceme

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed length mean:

1.6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.004 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00054075 g

Seed mass min:

1e-04 g

Seed volume max:

0.34 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

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.

apigenin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

luteolin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Anthraquinones

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant Activity

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM OXALATE

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM OXIDE

1. Dr. Duke

CHRYSOPHANIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Chrysophanol

1. Dr. Duke

Coumarins

1. 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.

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AGEs-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acidifier

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Additive

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Rumex acetosella has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dysentery, enteritis, jaundice.

Dysentery

1. Fitoterapia

Enteritis

1. Fitoterapia

Jaundice

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR