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Rumex obtusifolius
  • Round-Leaved Dock

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Very acid to Very alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Rumex obtusifolius has 0 edible uses listed
Rumex obtusifolius has 0 material uses listed
Rumex obtusifolius has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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[1].

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - cooked[2][3][4][5]. A bitter taste, especially if the older leaves are used[6][7]. The leaves are usually cooked in at least one change of water in order to reduce the bitterness[7]. Leaves can also be dried for later use[8]. The leaves have a much milder flavour when they are first produced in early spring[K].

Young stems - cooked[9].

Seed - raw or cooked[10][11]. The seed can also be ground into a powder and used to make a gruel or added to cereal flours when making bread etc[10]. It is rather small and fiddly to harvest.

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Stem

Unknown use

Material uses

Yellow, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of this plant[12][13]. They do not need a mordant[13].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are often applied externally as a rustic remedy in the treatment of blisters, burns and scalds[14][12]. The root contains tannin and is astringent and blood purifier[9]. A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of jaundice, whooping cough, boils and bleeding[14][9]. An infusion of the root has been used as a wash, especially for children, to treat skin eruptions[9]. One report says that the root has been used as a contraceptive to stop menstruation[9]. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[14].

Unknown part

Astringent
Blood purifier
Contraceptive
Salve

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Division in spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Rumex obtusifolius. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a good soil[14].

Plants are occasionally cultivated for their edible leaves[5]. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[15].

This species is an alternative host of the turnip fly[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Rumex obtusifolius. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Rumex obtusifolius.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rumex obtusifolius
Genus
Rumex
Family
Polygonaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Medicinal uses
[14][12][9]
Material uses & Functions
[12][13]
Botanic
[16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Rumex obtusifolius 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rumex obtusifolius 001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    References

    1. ? Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers ISBN 0-7225-0445-4 (1977-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods. ()
    4. ? 4.04.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.6 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books ISBN 0-394-72811-4 (1979-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    15. ? Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan ISBN 0-330-26642-x (1982-00-00)
    16. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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    Facts about "Rumex obtusifolius"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPolygonaceae +
    Belongs to genusRumex +
    Has common nameRound-Leaved Dock +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +, Seeds + and Stem +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageRumex obtusifolius 001.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Blood purifier +, Contraceptive + and Salve +
    Has primary imageRumex obtusifolius 001.JPG +
    Has search namerumex obtusifolius + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameRumex obtusifolius +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +