What Flower Does Sorrel Come From?

hibiscus sabdariffa flower.
In the Caribbean, the popular terms are hibiscus or sorrel, as it is made from the hibiscus sabdariffa flower. The plant is native to India, but can grow as an annual in all climates. The fleshy, red calyxes that surround the base of the flowers are what we brew to make sorrel, the drink.

What flower makes sorrel?

Sorrel Plant
Sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is native to North America and is not palatable to humans, but produces nutritious fodder for animals. Leaf sorrel is cultivated as a garden herb and grows 2 feet (61 cm.)

What plant does sorrel come from?

What Is Sorrel? Native to Europe and Asia, sorrel is a member of the Polygonaceae, or buckwheat, plant family, it has a dual identity as an herbaceous herb and a baby-leaf green for salads and cooking. The leaves have a lemony flavor that comes from the oxalic acid they produce.

Is sorrel same as hibiscus?

West Indians call hibiscus sorrel or sorrel, Africans call the plant Roselle, and it’s known as hibiscus in other locales. It’s the exact same plant, Hibiscus sabdariffa, an edible species of hibiscus. Agua de Jamaica literally translates into the term Jamaica water.

Where does sorrel come from?

Sorrel grows in grassland habitats all over Europe and in parts of Central Asia, though its history goes back as far as 1700 with mentions of the sour herb in Jamaican literature. The plant grows in three varieties: French, red-veined, and broad leaf, all of which have relatively different appearances.

What’s another name for sorrel?

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), also called common sorrel or garden sorrel, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Polygonaceae. Other names for sorrel include spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock (‘dock’ is a common name for the genus Rumex).

Can I eat sorrel flowers?

Leaves, flowers, and seed pods (which resemble miniature okra fruits) are all edible. Wood sorrel will begin to wilt almost immediately after harvesting, so it’s best eaten on the spot. Its tangy, somewhat sour flavor—reminiscent of citrus—makes it an excellent garnish in just about any salad.

What is sorrel good for?

It’s rich in antioxidants and nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and magnesium. It may support heart health and fight cancer, although more human research is needed. It can be used to make herbal tea, taken as a supplement, or enjoyed in dishes like soups, salads, and sauces.

What is the plant sorrel used for?

Sorrel is used for reducing sudden and ongoing pain and swelling (inflammation) of the nasal passages and respiratory tract, for treating bacterial infections along with conventional medicines, and for increasing urine flow (as a diuretic). Sorrel is also an ingredient in the herbal cancer treatment Essiac.

What part of sorrel is edible?

leaves
Yellow wood sorrel is also known as sour grass because its leaves have a mildly sour taste. In fact, every part o this flower, including the leaves, flowers, and seed pods, are edible. Sorrel is a common addition to salads, soups, and sauces and can be used to make tea.

Is sorrel good for high blood pressure?

Sorrel has antihypertensive properties that help to lower blood pressure. A research done at a university in Boston found that persons who drink a cup of sorrel daily saw a significant reduction in their blood pressure level in 30 days.

What is another name for sorrel in jamaica?

Jamaican sorrel is in fact what many of us know as hibiscus blossoms, which can be found dried online and at Latin American or natural food stores, where they are sometimes also called flor de jamaica.

How do you eat sorrel flowers?

Like many other spring greens (like broccoli rabe or stinging neetles), sorrel has a pronounced flavor. You wouldn’t want to eat just a salad of sorrel, so mix young leaves with milder lettuces. Blanching also helps tone down the bitterness. Think of the way a zippy, acidic white wine cuts through a fatty or oily fish.

Is sorrel a fruit or flower?

Sorrel is an annual plant that flowers and bears fruit twice in one year and then dies. In good conditions it grows to a height of approximately 6 feet. Sorrel is very easy to grow and is a hardy plant.

Is sorrel good to eat?

Sorrel Nutrition
Lemony sorrel is super high in Vitamin C; just 1/2 cup of the leafy green provides you with about half of your daily Vitamin C needs. It is also high in Vitamin A and potassium and is a good source of iron.

Who brought sorrel to Jamaica?

The agency indicates that sorrel was introduced from West Africa to Jamaica by the British in the 17th century. The plant belongs to the hibiscus family and is grown by farmers across the island.

Is red sorrel poisonous?

Red sorrel is considered safe for human consumption as a fresh herb or when boiled, but there is potential for poisoning of livestock. Species of Rumex owe their toxicity to soluble oxalates.

Where do you find sorrel?

Common sorrel leaves are great for salads, puddings, soups or stews. The name ‘common’ really does describe this plant and we can usually find it in any grass type environment at any time of year save a very harsh winter or a drought over summer.

Can dogs eat sorrel?

The leaves come in a variety of colors, such as white, lavender, and light yellow. Sorrel poisoning in dogs is a result of dogs ingesting all or part of the sorrel plant, which contains soluble calcium oxalates. These compounds are toxic to dogs.

What does edible sorrel look like?

Edible: Edibility good (see medical notes), taste is excellent. Identification: Sorrel has distinctive arrow-shaped leaves and small red and green flower stalks that appear from May to August. It is an upright plant that grows up to 60 cm in height and later in the season its leaves are sometimes tinged with red.

Is sorrel safe to eat raw?

If you’ve never tried sorrel, be prepared to pucker up. This spring green is packed with potent astringency and a lemony, citrus-like flavor. It bump up the acidic quality of salads (just use less vinegar or lemon juice), and is great eaten raw. It also cooks down quickly in a sauté pan.