Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - May 17, 2010
From: Jacksonville, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Trying to find a plant called sheepshire
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Hey there Mr. Smarty Plants, just one question. As a child in east Tennessee, we picked plants called sheepshire that looked like small clover leafs and had small yellow blooms. One could chew these leaves and they had a bitter-like taste. Is this true sheepshire or something else? Thanks.ANSWER:
I think you must mean woodsorrel, Oxalis spp. The plants of this genus have clover-like leaves and a sour taste due to the oxalic acid that they contain. Here are four species of Oxalis with yellow flowers that are native to Tennessee:
Oxalis dillenii (slender yellow woodsorrel)
Oxalis grandis (great yellow woodsorrel)
Oxalis priceae (tufted yellow woodsorrel)
Oxalis stricta (common yellow oxalis)
There is another plant called sheep's sorrel (sort of close to sheepshire), Rumex acetosella, a native of Europe, and a native one, Rumex hastatulus (heartwing sorrel), that I remember as a child in East Texas chewing on the stem and that we called the plant "sourweed". Here's an article about both Oxalis and Rumex.
Delena Tull in Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest says, "Rumex hastatulus and R. acetosella, both commonly called sheep sorrel, have a pickle-sour flavor similar to that of Oxalis."
Oxalic acid is the compound in both Oxalis and Rumex that causes the sour flavor. In small portions it is harmless but large amounts can be toxic. Rumex spp. and Oxalis spp. can be toxic, but only if large quantities are consumed. Also, Rumex spp. can be toxic to livestock in large quantities.
So, what is true sheepshire? I don't really know. In the references I found it sounded as if they were describing either Oxalis sp. or Rumex sp. It seems to be a term that refers to sour-tasting weeds that you chew in the spring.
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Resources for a green roof project from Wayne PA
April 14, 2013 - Hello! I am researching a project to create a native wildflower/ turf mix for a green roof. I would ideally like to grow it as a sod mat, and then install it in rolls. I am currently working as an i...
view the full question and answer
Donation of seeds of Silphium Terebinthinaceum to India
October 03, 2009 - Hi,
I am located in India. I am planning to plant Silphium Terebinthinaceum in my garden in India. Please let me know who can donate me seeds to India. I need 20-30 seeds.
view the full question and answer
Difficulty identifying/finding a plant
August 21, 2010 - I have been advised that the Calandria (sic) is a good plant to cover a cement wall surrounding our home in La Quinta, CA. I cannot find such a plant on line. Can you assist? I want to entirely cov...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on basketplant
August 22, 2005 - I want to buy a basketplant (Callisia fragrans). Do you know where can I buy it?
view the full question and answer
Planting native yaupons on fence line for privacy
July 26, 2008 - I live in the country and someone bought the place next door and is building a house close to me.(150 yards) I want to plant yaupon trees on my fence line. Can I get seeds somewhere? I have yaupons ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |