Description:
Sorrel is a perennial with a creeping habit, with lance shaped leaves 5-8cm long. Spikes of insignificant tiny, yellow flowers turn into small red/brown seeds. Leaves and stems can also have a brown tinge. The plant reaches a height of 30cm when in flower.
As A Soil Indicator:
Very low Calcium, Low Potassium, High Magnesium, High Selenium, High Aluminum Very little organic matter, Low bacterial count, , Sandy, pour drainage, More abundant on acidic sandy or loamy soils. Tolerant of low fertility soils.
Life cycle:
Perennial. Seeds germinate and roots form shoots from autumn to spring. Vegetative growth mainly occurs over winter and spring and it flowers from August to December. The top growth normally dies off in summer leaving the dormant, perennial, root system protected by the soil.
Beneficial:
Used as a herb and vegetable. Fodder but relatively unpalatable. The leaves are also rich in vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, and other carotenoids.
Detrimental:
High oxalate content
Seed:
Seeds remain viable in the soil for many years.
Toxicity:
May cause oxalate poisoning in stock. Breeding ewes are the most sensitive.
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