General description
Sorrel, also called sheep sorrel is a perennial broadleaf weed. The leaves are 1-3 inches long and arrow-shaped.
Growth habit
Young plants form a rosette of foliage near the ground. Flowers are red or yellow and bloom on spikes.
Reproduction
Sorrel spreads by seed and rhizomes.
Conditions that favor growth
Found in neglected, infertile lawns. It is also an indication of acidic soil.
Management in lawns
Lawn care practices
Maintain healthy, dense turf that can compete and prevent weed establishment.
Mechanical management
Hand pulling or using an appropriate weeding tool are the primary means of mechanical weed control in lawns. This is a viable option at the beginning of an infestation and on young weeds. Hand pulling when the soil is moist makes the task easier.
Manage Weeds Without Chemicals
Chemical treatment in lawns
If you choose this option, spot treat weeds with a liquid, selective, postemergent, broadleaf weed killer applied when weeds are actively growing. Look for a product with one or more of the following active ingredients:
2, 4-D, MCPP (mecoprop), Dicamba*, or Triclopyr.
*Do not spray herbicides containing dicamba over the root zone of trees and shrubs. Roots can absorb the product possibly causing plant damage. Refer to the product label for precautions.