Red Sorrel

Red Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel

Rumex acetosella L.

Polygonaceae (Smartweed Family)

▲ ▼ non-flowering shoots

▲ flowering stem

▲ base of flowering stem

▲ inflorescence

▲ stem leaves

▲ ▼ colony of flowering plants

▲ colony of flowering plants

▲ creeping roots

Red sorrel:

a low-growing, perennial member of the smartweed family with creeping roots
has arrow-shaped leaves, grows 4-8" tall
inflorescences golden to reddish, similar to curly or pale dock to which it is related, but only 6-18" tall
commonly found in acid, low-fertility lawns, pastures, roadsides, waste areas; usually in areas of poor drainage--a good indicator weed for acid soils
control: post-emergent herbicides, neutral pH, good soil fertility, shading