Sorrel

Rumex acetosa

Layer 4 · Herbaceous
Edible companion

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Native to Europe and Asia, it is a herbaceous perennial appreciated for its tangy flavour in cooking. It occupies the herbaceous layer in damp areas of the food forest, helping with mineral accumulation in the soil.

It can be planted now — September is one of the best months.

See which trees sorrel grows well with

These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.

Cork oak

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Medium
Light: Partial shade
Size: Herbaceous up to 0.8 m
Mature diameter: 0.4 m
Soils: Loam, Clay, Sandy
Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Mountain / cold, Hot, dry Mediterranean

Calendar

January
February
March — Harvest — Planting
April — Harvest — Planting
May — Harvest
June — Harvest
July
August
September — Harvest — Planting
October — Harvest — Planting
November
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: Edible leaves with an acidic flavour used in salads and soups, which should be consumed in moderation due to oxalates.

Where to buy

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

Cork oak

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.