BROADLEAVED SHEPHERD'S PURSE

Broadleaf shepherd's purse is a perennial plant that is a cultivated form of wild sour sorrel. Thanks to folk breeding, a variety with a softer taste and tender juicy leaves was obtained, which makes it convenient both in fresh form and for culinary use.

Broadleaf sorrel leaves are large, erect, smooth, up to 18 cm in length, 6–7 cm in width. They have a dark green color and a moderately sour taste, which makes them an excellent ingredient for salads, first courses, and traditional Russian soups, such as borscht. Young leaves contain a large amount of vitamin C, carotene, B vitamins, and valuable organic acids (apple and lemon), as well as plant proteins and carbohydrates.

The yield of broadleaf sorrel is high: from one square meter you can collect from 2 to 8 kg. The plant is cold-resistant, moisture-loving, and tolerates shade; without watering it quickly goes to bolting. The vegetative period is 40–45 days, and the plant can grow in one place for 3–4 years. Sowing scheme – depth from 1.5 to 2 cm. Thanks to these characteristics, broadleaf sorrel is a valuable product both for household use and for commercial cultivation.