Practical
Plants

Rumex obtusifolius

Round-Leaved Dock

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rumex
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 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[10].

Edible uses

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

Young leaves - cooked[16][9][14][15]. A bitter taste, especially if the older leaves are used[2][8]. The leaves are usually cooked in at least one change of water in order to reduce the bitterness[8]. Leaves can also be dried for later use[3]. The leaves have a much milder flavour when they are first produced in early spring[K]. Young stems - cooked[11]. Seed - raw or cooked[1][7]. The seed can also be ground into a powder and used to make a gruel or added to cereal flours when making bread etc[1]. It is rather small and fiddly to harvest.

Plant part
Leaves
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.

The leaves are often applied externally as a rustic remedy in the treatment of blisters, burns and scalds[13][4]. The root contains tannin and is astringent and blood purifier[11]. A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of jaundice, whooping cough, boils and bleeding[13][11]. An infusion of the root has been used as a wash, especially for children, to treat skin eruptions[11]. One report says that the root has been used as a contraceptive to stop menstruation[11]. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[13].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Salve

Material uses

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

Yellow, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of this plant[4][5]. They do not need a mordant[5].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Western Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Germany and Hungary.
Habitat
Waste ground, hedgerows and field margins[6]. A common weed of cultivated land on acid or calcareous soils[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very 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.

Requires a good soil[13]. Plants are occasionally cultivated for their edible leaves[15]. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[12]. This species is an alternative host of the turnip fly[13].

References

  1. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  3. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

  4. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  7. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

  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

  12. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  16. Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-7225-0445-4

    ↩

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