Common sorrel or Curled dock: how to tell them apart?
Common sorrel and Curled dock look alike and are often mixed up. Here is how to tell them apart, feature by feature, with their photos and the details to look for.
⚡ The quick answer
Common sorrel
Rumex acetosa
Curled dock
Rumex crispus
Curled dock has large, narrow leaves with a strongly wavy, curled margin, whereas common sorrel has smaller, spear-shaped leaves with a sagittate base and a recognisable tangy taste.
🍃 Leaves
Arrow-shaped, base with two pointed lobes directed backwards, tangy taste
Long, narrow, margin strongly wavy-curled
🌸 Flowers
Small, greenish then reddish, in a long upright spike
Small, greenish, in dense whorls along the stem
🍎 Fruits
Small glossy brown achene, enclosed by three valves
Small brown achene surrounded by winged valves
🪵 Bark
Upright, hollow herbaceous stem
Sturdy, upright herbaceous stem
📏 Size
30 to 90 cm
50 cm to 1 m
🗺️ Habitat
Meadows, banks, track margins
Wasteland, track margins, wet meadows
⚠️ Toxicity
Leaves rich in oxalates, to be eaten in moderation, not recommended for people prone to kidney stones
Leaves rich in oxalates, to be eaten in moderation
🔎 And from the Curled dock side
Curled dock has large, narrow leaves with a strongly wavy, curled margin, whereas common sorrel has smaller, spear-shaped leaves with a sagittate base and a recognisable tangy taste.
🌿 Go further
Want to practise spotting these details on real photos? Floraneo offers profiles and quizzes for dozens of look-alike species.
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.