You find the dull crimson Sorrel everywhere. It grows in meadows and
pastures and open woods, and it is abundant all spring and summer.
The flowers are small and unattractive. They grow on a spike in whorls
or circles, with five to eight flowers in each circle, and these circles
are separated at short distances.
Each flower droops from a tiny stalk. It has three narrow green sepals,
which fold back close to the stalk when the seed is ripening. Inside
these sepals are three dull crimson petals, also small and narrow. But
when the flowering time is past, these three petals grow broad and oval,
and become thicker, and at the base of each petal you see a tiny
swelling, which is the seed.
The stem of the Common Sorrel is tinged with pink. It is ribbed all
over, and is very juicy. Both it and the leaves are acid to taste and
are often eaten in salads.
The leaves are quite smooth, with the edges uncut. They are dark green
above, but much lighter underneath. Each leaf is shaped like an
arrow-head, and those close to the root have a long stalk.