Description

Red sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is a perennial that is common in pastures, turf and nursery crops. It is found in areas that have low nitrogen levels in the soil and poor drainage. The leaves have a very bitter taste that resembles sour apples, and can be fatal to livestock when eaten in large quantities. The mature leaves of red sorrel have a very unique arrowhead shape, and form a rosette.

Cultural Control

Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.

Species Data

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • perennial weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • upright; smooth, square (four-sided) stems; rosette
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8
• LEAFLET NUMBER
  • one
• LEAF MARGIN
  • smooth
• LEAF HAIRS
  • none
• LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
  • arrow-shaped with two basal lobes on most leaves
    Figure 9, Figure 10
• LEAF WIDTH
  • 1 - 2 inches
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate; most leaves develop from basal rosette
    Figure 11, Figure 12
• ROOT TYPE
  • taproot
    Figure 13
• FLOWER COLOR
  • yellowish - green (male flowers) or red (female flowers)