ID Guide: Sorrel

Common names: Sorrel, spinach dock, narrow-leaved dock

Latin: Rumex acetosa

Appearance: Sorrel grows as a rosette with pointed green leaves that resemble spinach. It flowers in summer with distinctive red petals.

Where: Any UK open grassland or meadow.

How to forage: Pick directly from the rock, taking the head of the plant leaving the root. 

When: From the end of spring right through summer and autumn until the frost comes in winter.

How to use: It can be used like you would spinach – such as cooked with garlic as a side dish. It does have a very lemony/citrus taste so is often used mixed with sour cream or yoghurt as a lemon herb dip.