Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), also called common sorrel or garden sorrel, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Polygonaceae.
What flower is sorrel?
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.
Is sorrel a fruit or flower?
The “flower buds” are actually seedpods of red sorrel, Hibiscus sabdariffa, enclosed in their fleshy calyces (plural of “calyx,” a collective term for the sepals of a flower). The red pods—technically the fruits—and calyces are fused and difficult to distinguish from one another.
Does sorrel have a flower?
Sorrel is a leafy green vegetable grown for its pleasantly tart, lemony flavor. The plants have smooth to crinkled, arrow-shaped leaves that grow from a center rosette. The plant will send up a tall flower stalk as the temperature warms, but it’s best to remove this to promote leaf growth for a better harvest.
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.
What family does sorrel belong to?
sorrel, any of several hardy perennial herbs of the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) that are widely distributed in temperate regions and cultivated for their edible leaves.
What is another name for sorrel?
Other Name(s): Acedera, Acedera Común, Azeda-Brava, Common Sorrel, Field Sorrel, Garden Sorrel, Oseille, Oseille Commune, Oseille des Champs, Petite Oseille, Petite Oseille des Brebis, Red Sorrel, Rumex acetosa, Rumex acetosella, Sheep’s Sorrel, Sorrel Dock, Sour Dock, Surette, Vignette, Vinette, Wiesensauerampfer.
Can I eat sorrel flowers?
You can eat the stalks, flowers, and leaves, raw or cooked. They have a fresh, lemony flavour that makes them perfect for mixed salads. In South Australia, wood sorrel is known as ‘soursob’ and is a common snack for children on their way to school.
What is another name for hibiscus?
rose mallow
Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and those species are commonly known simply as “hibiscus”, or less widely known as rose mallow. Other names include hardy hibiscus, rose of sharon, and tropical hibiscus.
Is sorrel good for hair?
Sorrel is a very bright and beautiful organic shape flower that has great benefits for all types of hair. Benefits: Prevents hair loss. Anti-frizz.
Is sorrel a wildflower?
This perennial wildflower is extremely generous and is fantastic at self-seeding. With its reddish-pink flower spikes, arrow-shaped leaves that then turn crimson.
Is Sorel a perennial?
Sorrel makes a great alternative to spinach as the leaves have a more tangy, slightly citrussy taste. A perennial plant, the leaves can be harvested over a long period through to midwinter.
How many petals does a sorrel flower have?
five
A low, creeping herb, with long-stalked, light green, trefoil-shaped leaves. The flowers have five white petals, veined in lilac or purple.
What kind of hibiscus is sorrel?
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Hibiscus sabdariffa, otherwise known as agua de Jamaica, Florida cranberry, Roselle, or Sorrel, as it is called in the Caribbean, dates back to 4000 BC in Sudan.
What is sorrel good for?
Sorrel is a great source of antioxidants, which are beneficial compounds that protect your cells from damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals. Antioxidants may help prevent many chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes ( 6 ).
What kind of hibiscus is used for sorrel?
hibiscus sabdariffa
In the Caribbean, the drink made from the calyces (sepals) of the roselle (hibiscus sabdariffa) flower is called sorrel drink and is made in Caribbean countries including Jamaica, St.
Is sorrel toxic?
Common sorrel has been cultivated for centuries. The leaves are edible when young but toughen with age; they may be puréed in soups and sauces or added to salad. The plant has a distinct sharp, sour taste. It contains oxalic acid, which can be poisonous in high quantities.
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.
What is a sorrel in English?
sorrel in American English
(ˈsɔrəl, ˈsɑr-) noun. any of various plants belonging to the genus Rumex, of the buckwheat family, having edible acid leaves used in salads, sauces, etc. any of various sour-juiced plants of the genus Oxalis.
How do you identify sorrel?
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. Red flowers and latterly seeds are carried on tall slender spikes.
Can you eat sorrel raw?
You can also use raw sorrel leaves like you would an herb: chopped up and added to legumes or eggs, or as an addition to yogurt or sour cream as a refreshing, lemony dip. Cooking reduces sorrel’s oxalic acid content, and it also makes the leaves soft and rich and delicious, like really good spinach.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.