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SORREL (Rumex species)
There are two common species of sorrel: garden sorrel (R. acetosa) and Frenchsorrel (R. scutatus); both are perennial. French sorrel has large heartshaped leaves and grows to about 2 feet. Garden sorrel is about 3 feet high,and the leaves are shaped like arrowheads.
Sorrel was once eaten as a vegetable, prepared in the same fashion spinachis today and as a green in salads. The juice of the leaves was also usedto remove stains from hands.
Grow garden sorrel in a rich, moist soil and full sun. French sorrel prefersa drier soil. Both can be raised from seed and propagated by division.
The leaves of French sorrel are used to make sorrel soup and small quantitiesmay be included in salads. They also can be cooked with spinach or cabbage.Add a fresh leaf of French sorrel to any cream soup during the last fewminutes of cooking for a unique flavor. The flowers are sometimes driedand useful in dried arrangements.