Species library · Plants & herbs

Sheep Sorrel: poisonous

Rumex acetosella

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Sheep Sorrel is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from April to October in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Disturbed ground. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)

Photo: (c) Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · iNaturalist

When Sheep Sorrel appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Sheep Sorrel is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground.

Look up Sheep Sorrel in the app

In the Forage app, Sheep Sorrel has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Sheep Sorrel: common questions

Is Sheep Sorrel poisonous?

Yes. Sheep Sorrel is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Sheep Sorrel appear?

Sheep Sorrel usually appears from April to October in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Sheep Sorrel grow?

Sheep Sorrel is usually found in Grassland, Disturbed ground.

What can Sheep Sorrel be confused with?

Toxic look-alikes: Lords-and-ladies, Common sorrel, Wood sorrel. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by an expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits