Rumex scutatus aka French Sorrel

Taxonomy

Rumex scutatus, also known as French sorrel, buckler sorrel, shield-leaf sorrel, or green-sauce, is a plant in the buckwheat family. It is a low-growing perennial with spear-shaped grey-green leaves and small greenish-red flowers that bloom in summer. However, it is primarily cultivated for its edible leaves, which have a slightly bitter or tangy flavor with a hint of lemon, attributed to its oxalic acid content. This culinary herb is commonly used in salads, soups, and sauces, especially for fish. French sorrel can tolerate frost, full sun, and short dry spells, making it hardy in most regions. It grows rapidly, forming a clump up to 1 meter in diameter, with long leaves up to 10 centimeters wide. Some prefer it over Rumex acetosa, garden sorrel, for culinary purposes.

Common names

French Sorrel, Buckler Leaved Sorrel, Round Leafed Sorrel

How to care for French Sorrel

Difficulty

French Sorrel is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

French Sorrel should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

French Sorrel loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

French Sorrel requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your French Sorrel will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for French Sorrel to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

French Sorrel is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The French Sorrel should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

French Sorrel’s native range is Europe. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].


More info:
Wikipedia