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
Source for Escarpment Black Cherry trees in Austin
January 04, 2010 - I live in Central Texas and I am looking for a tree farm or nursery that has Escarpment Black Cherry trees. They seem to be quite hard to find. Are you aware of any local nurseries that might carry t...
view the full question and answer
Sources of Hypericum anagalloides (tinkekrs penny)
March 23, 2007 - I am currently in search of any place where I may be able to purchase some of the Tinker's Penny. Could you please assist with this in any way possible? Greatly appreciated.
view the full question and answer
Number of seeds per pound for Curvepod fumewort from Bridger MT
June 17, 2010 - Do you know or where can I find the number of seeds per pound for Corydalis curvisiliqua-scrambled eggs?
view the full question and answer
Need source for seeds or plants of Pinus remota in Johnson City, TX..
October 18, 2011 - I cannot seem to find a source for Pinus remota or papershell pinyon pine. Who Grows this? I understand it is rare and would love to try it here in Johnson City. Thanks
view the full question and answer
Where to find seed drill
October 15, 2009 - Hello I am a recent member. I want to conserve a 4 acre parcel with native grasses. Do you know where I can rent a small seed drill? I have heard that some conservation groups own these for rent. I wa...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |