sheep sorrel

American  

noun

1. a slender weed, Rumex acetosella, of the buckwheat family, found in poor, dry soils, having arrow-shaped leaves with an acid taste.

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sheep sorrel British  

noun

1. a polygonaceous plant, Rumex acetosella, of the N hemisphere, having slightly bitter-tasting leaves and small reddish flowers

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Etymology

Origin of sheep sorrel

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sheep sorrel

Then came sheep sorrel, and the rock-rose and thorn-brush.

From The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Howard, Velma Swanston

Reddy resembles the common, but much-admired sheep sorrel, while I am like that tender little flower, the forget-me-not.

From Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year at High School The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics by Flower, Jessie Graham [pseud.]

Now pull up the roots of a plant, as, for example, sheep sorrel, Jimson weed, or some other plant.

From Agriculture for Beginners Revised Edition by Burkett, Charles William

Gather a bunch of sheep sorrel leaves, wrap them in a cabbage leaf and roast in the oven.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson

Oca: Hardy, edible root, related to sheep sorrel.

From Inca Land Explorations in the Highlands of Peru by Bingham, Hiram