Also sour-grass. [SOUR a.]
1. A tropical grass of the genus Paspalum.
1756. P. Browne, Jamaica, 365. Sour Grass. The roots and leaves of this plant … cure sores and ulcers.
1864. Grisebach, Flora Brit. W. Ind., 787/2. Sour-grass: Paspalum conjugatum.
2. One or other variety of sorrel (Rumex or Oxalis). Also attrib.
1866. Brogden, Prov. Lincs., Sour-grass, Sour-sauce, the ground sorrel, Oxalis pratense.
1889. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Robbery under Arms (1890), xx. 143. The long sour-grass … was dripping with the night dew.
1889. Maiden, Usef. Plants, 50. Oxalis corniculata,… ‘Clover Sorrel,’ or ‘Sour Grass.’
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 311. Bred in a ‘sour grass’ country, far inferior for fattening purposes.
