Practical
Plants

Rumex hymenosepalus

Canaigre

a perennial member of the Rumex genus in the family Polygonaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rumex
Life cycle
perennial
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, which is what gives the leaves of many members of this genus an acid-lemon flavour. Perfectly alright in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since the oxalic acid can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[10].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked as a pot-herb[6][12][13][1][2]. They are usually cooked in several changes of water to remove the bitter-tasting tannin[5]. Leaf stems - cooked[15][1][2]. Crisp and tart, they are excellent when used in pies like rhubarb[6][5]. They are often cooked with sugar, or can be baked and the central portion eaten[11]. The stems, harvested before the flowers open, have been boiled to make a drink[11]. Seed - raw or cooked[11]. It can be ground into a powder, cooked with water to the consistency of a thick gravy and eaten as a mush[5][11]. The powder can also be mixed with water, shaped into cakes and baked[11]. Root[1][2]. Eaten raw by children in early spring[11].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the stems and leaves has been used as a wash for sores, ant bites and infected cuts[11]. The roots are astringent[11]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[11]. An infusion has been used as a gargle to treat coughs and sore mouths and throats[11]. The root has been chewed in the treatment of coughs and colds[11]. The dried, powdered roots have been used as a dusting powder and dressing on burns and sores[11]. A tea made from this plant is used to treat colds[8][11].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Salve

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots are rich in tannin, the dried root containing about 35 - 60%[12][13][4]. Wild roots contain more tannin than cultivated roots whilst old roots contain more than young roots[9]. Yellow, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of this plant[12][13][3]. They do not need a mordant[3].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Tannin

Environment

Range
South-western N. America.
Habitat
Dry sandy places below 1500 metres in California[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in situ. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a deep fertile moderately heavy soil that is humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained and a position in full-sun or part shade[7]. Judging by its native range, this plant should succeed in dry soils[K]. Extensively cultivated for the tannin contained in its root[4].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2

  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  8. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  9. Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 1946-00-00

    ↩

  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12↩13

  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

  15. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩

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