Violet Wood Sorrel

Violet wood sorrel along with its close kin, the yellow wood sorrel and the creeping wood sorrel are all edible plants that add a lemony tang to your salads and can make a dandy form of lemonade. 

I discovered wood sorrel, although I didn't know its name, when I was in preschool. A classmate pointed it out to me.  "Try these.  They taste like lemons," she said.  And so they did. 

I'd pinch off a few of the tangy leaves and chew on them, swallowing the lemony liquid.  Looking back, I'm glad I didn't make a steady diet out of them, and neither should you.  Eating too much violet wood sorrel or any other sorrel can cause problems with kidney stones, gout, or rheumatism.

Violet wood sorrel can be used for making lemonade and use it in salads.

That's because wood sorrel is loaded with oxalic acid (hence its genus name Oxalis). 

Too much oxalic acid in your diet inhibits the absorption of calcium, so you definitely don't want to eat it on a daily basis. 

But this little plant is fine as long as you have it in moderation along with plenty of other good foods.

This lovely, delicate flower grows in the wild through a large portion of the United States and is considered an Old World plant coming from Europe.

Spotting Wood Sorrel

So how can you recognize it?   This is a tiny plant with dark green or purplish, heart-shaped leaves that grow in groups of three, and the leaves will fold up either at night or in bad weather. 

Sorrel will produce flowers in the spring that are either lavender, pink, yellow or white.  The plant looks like clover, and the two are often confused, but both sorrel and clover are edible.  The color of the plant will depend on the amount of exposure it gets to sunlight.

Where to Find Violet Wood Sorrel

violet-wood-sorrel-for-home

It's called wood sorrel for a reason:  You typically find it in wooded areas. 

It's more prevalent in the eastern half of the United States, but I found it in Oklahoma, and it has also been found in Kansas and Nebraska. 

It doesn't like competition, so it will be more likely to grow on bare ground.

Wood Sorrel Recipes

Wood sorrel added to any dish gives it a lemony flavor.  Add it to quiche, scrambled eggs, and casserole dishes. 

Because of its lemony taste, you can use it as a substitute for vinegar in salads. Steep it in hot water for ten minutes and add honey or stevia for a lemony drink. 

Sorrel also makes a tangy pesto by placing it in a food processor along with a tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and garlic to taste.  Blend until smooth.

By using a good guide like this one, you will be able to recognize not only sorrel but other edible plants that grow in the wild.

Medicinal Uses of Wood Sorrel

Violet wood sorrel and all other types of wood sorrel are rich in Vitamin C.  Historically, this plant was used to treat fevers, urinary tract infections, colds and sore throats.  It was also used in the past to treat scurvy and as a blood cleanser.



Wood sorrel can also ease nausea and increase the appetite.

Tips on Growing Violet Wood Sorrel

Wood sorrel doesn’t like the full sun, so pick a spot that has either dappled shade or partial shade. Sorrel will also need fertile soil that is well-drained, so before planting sorrel, work about an inch of compost into the soil.

You can either sow the seeds directly into the soil or start the seeds indoors approximately two weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. If you do sow the seeds outdoors, make sure the soil is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit or the seeds won’t germinate. Sow the seeds approximately one-fourth of an inch deep and about four inches apart. You can sow the seeds directly into the soil either in the spring or in the fall. 

Generally, the seeds will sprout between one and two weeks after you plant them. Thin the plants until they are about one foot apart.

You can start harvesting sorrel for salads and drinks beginning in the late spring until fall. Cut the outer leaves to encourage the plants to put out more foliage. For a sharper, more lemony tang, choose the younger leaves, or cut the larger leaves for a more mellow flavor.

Learn more about medicinal plants

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About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

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