How to identify Rumex acetosa subsp. biformis (Overlooked Sorrel) Often when in the field with botanists they will use the term ‘jizz’. In the case of Overlooked Sorrel once you get to know how the plant grows, and what it looks like, the ‘jizz’ really is a valued tool to identify the plant.
Rumex acetosa subsp. biformis Habitat: short grassland on sea-cliffs, dunes, at the top of shingle beaches, and herb-rich pastures. This subspecies does not seem to compete well in tall dense vegetation. In most sites it was confined to the very short turf on the top of the seacliff. Stems: usually only up to 30cm tall, but can occasionally be up to 50cm tall. The stem is thicker and stouter. Many stems in a cluster. Leaves: thick and succulent. Snapping when bent in half. Basal usually just over twice as long as wide, 30-40 x 15-20mm. Usually 2-4 per stem. With very short, acute, sometimes obtuse and reduced basal lobes. Flower head: panicle dense, with a few simple branches.
Rumex acetosa subsp. acetosa Habitat: all types of grassland, road verges, road and field banks, in open woods, sea-cliffs, etc. This subspecies grows in a very wide range of habitats, often amongst rank vegetation.
Stems: stems usually 60cm to 100cm tall. Only a few stems per plant.
Leaves: thin and not succulent. Not snapping when bent in half. Basal usually 2-4 times as long as wide, 20-50 x 40100mm, or even longer. Often more than 4 per stem. With obvious lobes. Flower head: panicle lax, with a few simple branches.
References Akeroyd, J.R. (2014). Docks and Knotweeds of Britain and Ireland. BSBI Handbook No. 3. BSBI, London. Stace, C.A. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles. 4th edition. C. & M. Floristics, Suffolk.
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The case against ‘wildflower’ seed mixtures – Position Paper No. 1 Prepared on behalf of Dublin Naturalists' Field Club by the Conservation Sub-committee: Declan Doogue, Rosaleen Fitzgerald, Philip Grant, Melinda Lyons (Chair), David Nash and Charles Shier Email: melinda.lyons@tudublin.ie Swathes of ‘wildflowers’ originating from commercial seed mixtures have become a common feature on roadsides and in other open spaces, amidst a growing perception that PAGE 32
