Common Sheep Sorrel Rumex acetosella LinnaeusNon-native    Synonyms: Acetosella acetosella, Red Sorrel, Sheep’s Sorrel.
Kingdom Plantae   >   Division Tracheophyta   >   Class Magnoliopsida   >   Order Caryophyllales   >   Family Polygonaceae   >   Genus Rumex   

Status:

Common Sheep Sorrel is a native of Europe and now occurs nearly worldwide. It grows in open areas, such as pastures, natural areas, and crop land.

Relationships:

Host plant for the butterfly species American Copper. Common Sheep Sorrel contains oxalic acid and can be toxic to livestock, especially sheep and cattle, if eaten in large quantities. Livestock often avoid it, though, because of its sour taste.

There are 266 records in the project database.

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Common Sheep Sorrel in Wicomico Co., Maryland (4/14/2013). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel growing in Kent Co., Maryland (4/16/2016). Photo by Nancy Martin. (MBP list)

A Common Sheep Sorrel in Charles Co., Maryland (5/9/2014). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel in Quincy, Massachusetts (5/29/2011). Photo by Tom Palmer. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (10/2/2016). Photo by Tyler Bell. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel in Baltimore City, Maryland (4/6/2021). (c) Kirsten J, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Kirsten Johnson. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel blooming in Harford Co., Maryland (5/17/2018). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

The distinctive basal leaves of Common Sheep Sorrel in Howard Co., Maryland (7/5/2016). Photo by Jim Wilkinson. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (4/20/2011). Photo by Bill Harms. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel blooming at Fort Smallwood, Maryland (5/4/2013). In late April and early May, large red patches appear in the grassy margins along many roads in Maryland. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel growing in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (2/2/2017). Photo by Tyler Bell. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (4/2/2016). Photo by Sheila Maestas. (MBP list)

Common Sheep Sorrel in Caroline Co., Maryland (5/13/2018). Photo by Wayne Longbottom. (MBP list)


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