Wood sorrel

About

Wood sorrel is a small plant that covers the ground in shady forests with dense carpets. It grows in coniferous and mixed forests, in mossy areas, near stumps and streams. It is also found in the Carpathian forests, where there is little light and plenty of moisture.

This perennial herb is only 6–12 cm tall with a thin creeping rhizome. The leaves are trifoliate, on long petioles; the three heart-shaped leaflets are folded along the central vein, so the plant is often confused with clover. The flowers are solitary, on thin pedicels, with five white petals 8–15 mm long, adorned with pink or purple veins; they are occasionally pink. It blooms in May – June. In most of Europe, this is the only wild species of its kind.

Wood sorrel 'reacts' to the weather. At night and during rain, the flowers close, and the leaflets fold down like an umbrella. Thus, in the forest, one can see how the carpet of wood sorrel changes appearance in just a few minutes.

The leaves have a pleasant sour taste, which is why the plant is called rabbit sorrel. Once, a sorrel acid salt was even boiled from the plant, which was called 'kvasenytsia'. The leaves are sometimes chewed on the trail, but they are rich in oxalic acid, so it is not advisable to eat wood sorrel in large quantities. It can be distinguished from the similar Anemone nemorosa by its trifoliate 'clover' leaves and solitary flowers on leafless pedicels.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Slovakia · Czechia · Poland · Ukraine · Romania · Hungary

Mountain ranges

Moravian-Silesian Beskids, Slovak Ore Mountains, Strážov Mountains, High Tatras, Western Tatras, Low Tatras, Greater Fatra, Lesser Fatra, Volovec Mountains, Belianske Tatras

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m) · Conifer forests (1200–1600 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Safety

The leaves contain a lot of oxalic acid: it is not advisable to eat them in large quantities.

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

In folk tradition

Sour leaves are sometimes eaten, but in small amounts.

Protection and rules

Not protected.

FAQ