sheep sorrel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist/Formal (Botany, Horticulture, Foraging). Rare in general everyday conversation.
Quick answer
What does “sheep sorrel” mean?
A small, common perennial plant (Rumex acetosella) with arrow-shaped leaves and a sour taste.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, common perennial plant (Rumex acetosella) with arrow-shaped leaves and a sour taste.
A wild edible plant often considered a weed, used in salads or as a potherb for its lemony flavour; sometimes associated with poor, acidic soils.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The plant is native to both regions.
Connotations
Neutral/Botanical. In gardening contexts, it can have a negative connotation as an invasive weed.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, limited to specific domains.
Grammar
How to Use “sheep sorrel” in a Sentence
[sheep sorrel] + [grows/flourishes/thrives] + [in/on LOCATION][foragers/chefs] + [harvest/pick/use] + [sheep sorrel]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sheep sorrel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The field has been completely sheep-sorrelled over the years.
- We need to sheep-sorrel that patch of the allotment.
American English
- The pasture is sheep-sorrelling in the acidic corners.
- They sheep-sorrelled the entire hillside.
adjective
British English
- The sheep-sorrel infestation was troubling the farmer.
- We noted a sheep-sorrel dominance in the flora survey.
American English
- The soil had a sheep-sorrel characteristic acidity.
- A sheep-sorrel patch marked the edge of the old field.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in botanical texts, ecological studies, and foraging guides.
Everyday
Rare. Used by gardeners, foragers, or in contexts discussing wild food.
Technical
Precise botanical identification, phytochemistry (oxalic acid content), weed management.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sheep sorrel”
- Confusing 'sheep sorrel' with 'wood sorrel' (a different plant family, Oxalis).
- Misspelling as 'sheep sorel'.
- Using it as a mass noun without an article in singular contexts (e.g., 'I found a sheep sorrel' vs. 'I found some sheep sorrel').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in moderation. The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach, but they contain oxalic acid, which should be avoided by people with kidney issues or in excessive amounts.
Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is smaller, with arrow-shaped leaves and a more sprawling habit, common in poor, dry soils. Common or garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) has larger, more elongated leaves and is often cultivated.
The name likely originates from its common occurrence in sheep pastures and the observation that sheep will graze on it.
It's not typically cultivated as a crop. It often appears spontaneously in acidic, low-fertility soils and is frequently viewed as a weed due to its invasive nature via creeping rhizomes.
A small, common perennial plant (Rumex acetosella) with arrow-shaped leaves and a sour taste.
Sheep sorrel is usually specialist/formal (botany, horticulture, foraging). rare in general everyday conversation. in register.
Sheep sorrel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃiːp ˌsɒr.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃiːp ˌsɔːr.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. Too specific a term for idiomatic use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sheep with a sour face eating this lemony plant in a field – 'sheep' + 'sorrel' (sour).
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A. The term is primarily literal and taxonomic.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'sheep sorrel' MOST likely to be used correctly?