Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Rumex acetosella Linnaeus
(Sheep Sorrel)
Family: Polygonaceae
Status: Exotic
Synonyms:
None
Rumex acetosella is a rhizomatous perennial which is diminutive in comparision to other species of Rumex.
The stems are slender, under 30cm tall and usually erect. The panicles are reddish and the pedicels jointed.
Rumex acetosella is dioecious (separate male and female plants.) The leaves are hastate (lobed at the bottom) and the valve is about 1mm long. Rumex acetosella
is found in middle to upper elevation moist disturbed areas.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
![](rumex_acetosella_small.jpg)
Rumex acetosella, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, & Mark Donnell, Mogollon Mtns., Redstone trailhead on Bursum Road, Aug. 4, 2007
![](r_acetosella_small.jpg)
Rumex acetosella, inflorescence (staminate plant), photo Russ Kleinman and the GNPS field trip to Signal Peak, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak Turnoff, July 19, 2009
![](r_acetosella1_small.jpg)
Rumex acetosella, macro of inflorescence (staminate), photo Russ Kleinman and the GNPS field trip to Signal Peak, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak Turnoff, July 19, 2009
![](r_acetosella2_small.jpg)
Rumex acetosella, macro of inflorescence (staminate), photo Russ Kleinman and the GNPS field trip to Signal Peak, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak Turnoff, July 19, 2009
![](r_acetosella3_small.jpg)
Rumex acetosella, hastate leaves, photo Russ Kleinman and the GNPS field trip to Signal Peak, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak Turnoff, July 19, 2009
![](r_acetosella4_small.jpg)
Rumex acetosella, 1mm valve, photo Russ Kleinman and the GNPS field trip to Signal Peak, Pinos Altos Range, Signal Peak Turnoff, July 19, 2009
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