How to Identify Sorrel

Pluck a leaf. Garden sorrel leaves have an elongated shape that resembles the head of a spear. They reach a point at the ends, and the stem attaches to the leaf in a concave depression, the sides of which also come to points. Leaves can grow up to 5 inches in length. French sorrel, on the other hand, grows round leaves.

Study the leaf veins. Sorrel leaf veins assume a pinnate shape, meaning that a midrib extends from the stem and grows the length of the leaf, and leaf veins emerge along the length of the midrib. The leaf veins are prominent, giving the leaves a wrinkled appearance.

Observe the general shape of the plant. Sorrel tends to grow in low clumps, reaching about 18 inches in height. Leaves tend to emerge close to the base of the plant.

Note the plant's behavior based on the time of year. As a cold-hardy plant, sorrel is among the first plants to appear in the spring. Leaves have a reddish tint as they emerge from the soil. The plant produces flowers during May or June, and seeds ripen into August. Note that red sorrel flowers from March to November.

Find a flower, if possible. Sorrel grows a flower stalk that can reach 3 feet in height. Flowers grow in branched clusters at the top of the plant and occur in groups of three. They begin green in color, maturing to red and turning brown as the seeds begin to form.

Taste a leaf after washing it. All three types of sorrel are edible and have a distinctive flavor, described as acidic, sour or lemony.