Rumex maritimus
Golden Dock
an annual member of the Rumex genus in the family Polygonaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Genus
- Rumex
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.5 m
- 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[5].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - cooked[3]. Seed - cooked[7]. It can be ground into a powder then mixed with water and cooked like porridge[7].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Plant part
- Seed
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.
The leaves are applied externally to burns[6]. The seeds are aphrodisiac[6]. They contain about 5% tannin[6]. The plant is cooling[6]. an infusion is used to treat bloat[7].
- Product or use
- Aphrodisiac
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Carminative
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although no specific mention has been made for this species, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of many species in this genus, They do not need a mordant[1].
- Product or use
- Dye
Environment
- Range
- Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and the Caucasus.
- Habitat
- Bare muddy ground by lakes, reservoir margins, dried up ponds and occasionally in damp grassy places[2], often by the coast[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow spring in situ.
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[4]. Plants are likely to require a moist to wet soil. Closely related to R. palustris[2].
References
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00