50 FLOWERS OF THE HILLS AND DRY PLACES 



Sheep's Sorrel (Rumex Acetosella, L.) 



This sand-loving plant is also Arctic, and finds a place in the Pre- 

 glacial deposits of Norfolk, and Interglacial beds at Hoxne, Suffolk. 

 It is found at the present day in the N. Temperate and Arctic Zones, 

 and has been introduced in the south. Sheep's Sorrel is found, every- 

 where in Great Britain as far north as the Shetlands, and up to 



SHEEP'S SORRKL (Rumex Acetosella, L.) 

 Female plant 



Photos. Dr. Somerville Hastings 



SHEEP'S SORREL (Rumex Acetosella, L.) 

 Male plant 



2500 ft. in Yorkshire. It is a native of Ireland and the Channel 

 Islands. 



Whereas the Common Sorrel is frequent enough in most fields and 

 meadows, especially those that are moist and situated on clay soils, 

 Sheep's Sorrel is a sand-loving species, growing on rocky knolls in or 

 near woods, on heaths, and sandy wastes, e.g. warrens, and the sea- 

 shore, as well as dry pastures at high elevations, and is said to be an 

 indication of dry and poor soil rich in iron. 



It is a tall, graceful plant with spear-shaped leaves which give it 



characteristic appearance. The stem is single, unbranched, erect, 



smooth, the lower leaves spear-shaped, with lobes curved backwards, 



