Common Wood Sorrel is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland and damp shady areas, to a mature height of up to 10cm.
Wood Sorrel leaves, stems and flowers are considered by some to be a forage food (please see footnote under 'Concerns'). Historically, it has been used to treat scurvy, as it is rich in vitamin C. However, the name Sorrel comes from the French for 'sour' and refers to its sharp taste, owing to its oxalic acid content, which can cause oxalate poisoning. The presence of established Wood Sorrel can be an indicator of ancient woodland.
Botanic classification and naming: Common Wood Sorrel is a member of the Wood Sorrel (Oxalidaceae) family. The genus name
'Oxalis' identifies the plant as a Wood Sorrel and its species name 'acetosella' means 'acid-leaved plant/ sorrel'.
Concerns: Note that unsupervised foraging may cause damage to wild plants and misidentification of forage species may be dangerous. Eating Wood Sorrel as a food source can damage your health or may result in oxalate poisoning.
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