Roman Sorrel. Oseille rond. Vil. R. scutatus.
This is a hardy perennial, a native of France and Switzerland. Its stem is trailing, and from twelve to eighteen inches in height or length; the leaves vary in form, but are usually roundish-heart-shaped or halberd-shaped, smooth, glaucous, and entire on the borders; the flowers are hermaphrodite, yellowish; the leaves are more acid than those of the varieties of the preceding species, and for this reason are preferred by many.
The variety is hardy and productive, but not much cultivated.
It requires eighteen inches' space between the rows, and a foot in the rows. There is but one variety.
Mountain Sorrel.
Oseille verge. Vil. R. montanus.
The leaves of this variety are large, oblong, of thin texture, and of a pale-green color; the root-leaves are numerous, about nine inches long and four inches wide, slightly blistered. It is later than the Common Garden Sorrel in running to flower; and is generally propagated by dividing the roots, but may also be raised from seeds. The leaves are remarkable for their acidity.
This is the Rumex montanus of modern botanists, though formerly considered as a variety of R. acetosa.
Blistered-Leaved Mountain Sorrel.
This variety is distinguished from the Green Mountain Sorrel by its larger, more blistered, and thinner leaves. The leaf-stems are also longer, and, as well as the nerves and the under surface of the leaf, finely spotted with red. It starts early in spring, and is slow in running up to flower.