WOOD SORREL 29 
Wood Sorrel is known by many names: Alleluia, Allolida, Bird's 
Bread-and-Cheese, Bread-and-Cheese, Bird’s Clover, Sorrell, Cuckoo’s, 
Gowk’'s, or Sour Clover, Cuckoo’s Bread-and-cheese, Cuckoo-flower, 
Cuckoo-spice, Cuckoo's Victuals, Sour Grass, Green Sauce, God 
A’mighty’s Bread and Cheese, Gowk Meat, Hallelujah, Hare’s Meat, 
Hearts, Lady’s Cakes, Lady’s Clover, Lady's Meat, Laverocks, Lu- 
jula, Rabbit Meat, Sham- 
rock, Sheep Sorrel, Sleep- 
ing Beauty, Sleeping 
Clover, French or Wood 
Sorrel, Sour Clover, Sour 
Sals, Stabwort, Stob- 
wort, Stopwort, Stub- 
wort, Wood-sour, Wood- 
sower. 
Wood Sorrel was 
called Stabwort because 
it was said to be good for 
wounds, punctures, stabs, 
&c., and Stub-wort, from 
erowing at the roots of 
old trees. The name 
Alleluia is explained, ‘‘ By 
reason when it springeth 
forth and flowereth Alle- 
luia was wont to be sung 
in churches ” (i.e. between 
Easter and Pentecost). 
The name Hearts is 
Photo. J. H, Crabtree 
from the shape of the Woah Gonmal. (Ovni Accent) 
leaves. 
The flowers were formerly called fairy bells, and it was thought 
that the fairies were summoned to their moonlight revels by these 
bells. Wood Sorrel was called St. Cecilia’s Flower, St. Cecilia’s Day 
being celebrated 22nd November, on account of the trumpet-like form 
of the leaves. Another legend attributes the spotting of the leaves 
to their being blood-drops from the Cross. 
The foliage is extremely sharp and acid, hence some of its names. 
It contains a binoxalate of potash. The juice is expressed and 
evaporates, and the crystals are produced from which we obtain salts 
of lemon. This is used for removing ink stains. It is poisonous and 
