Practical
Plants

Rumex mexicanus

Mexican Dock

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rumex
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
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.

Young leaves - cooked[8][9][1][2]. Used as greens[6]. Seed - cooked or ground into a powder and used for making gruel or added to cereal flours and used for making bread[1][2]. The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest.

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.

An infusion of the leaves has been taken by childless women to help them become pregnant[6]. A strong infusion of the root has been used to help a woman become pregnant[6]. The infusion was taken four times a day (upon rising, at midday, at sunset and upon going to bed) for a month[6]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of sore throats[6]. A decoction of the white root has been used to regulate the menstrual cycle[6]. There is a suggestion that it was used to facilitate an abortion. A decoction of the red root has been used to treat fevers[6]. A poultice of the crushed root has been used to treat burns[6]. A decoction of the plant has been used to treat intestinal disorders and liver complaints[6]. A decoction of the plant has been used externally to treat swellings and painful joints[6].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Hepatic
Product or use
Infertility
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

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

The dried, crushed roots have been used as a tinder[6]. 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[3].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Tinder

Environment

Range
Western N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to Maine, Texas and Mexico.
Habitat
Rich soils, occasionally brackish[7].
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
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants succeed outdoors at Cambridge Botanical gardens and are growing well in Cornwall[K].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  4. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

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

    ↩

  6. 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

  7. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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