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French Sorrel Rumex scutatus

Phonetic Spelling
ROO-meks skut-AY-tus
Description

French Sorrel is a low growing, flowering, creeping, herbaceous perennial in the buckwheat family that is native to Europe and Asia. The leaves are commonly used as a culinary herb. French Sorrell is preferred to other sorrel species by many food experts because it is less acidic. It usually reaches a mature height of 2 feet from a 3 foot wide clump. Small greenish-red flowers appear in summer.

French Sorrel does best in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It self-seeds and can spread in the garden. The plants can tolerate drought, frost, and wind once established, but it does not do well with maritime salt. It will self-seed in the garden and is mat forming; in some situations, it could be used as a ground cover.

Remove flowers immediately to promote leaf growth.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#culinary#creeping#groundcover#edible leaves#clumping#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#mat forming
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#culinary#creeping#groundcover#edible leaves#clumping#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#mat forming
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rumex
    Species:
    scutatus
    Family:
    Polygonaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used in salads, soups, and sauces. Tastes tart from its oxalic acid content, with a hint of lemon. Later in the season, it can be bitter.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to Southwest Siberia and south to Iran.
    Distribution:
    Introduced to Great Britain and Sweden.
    Wildlife Value:
    Food plant for caterpillars and
    Edibility:
    Leaves are used in salads and cooking.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 4 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Herb
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Creeping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Description:
    Reddish-brown, triangular fruits.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Erect racemes of small greenish or reddish flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Spatulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Basal, simple leaves, spear-shaped grey-green leaves are edible and can be cut for salads.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Wind
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses