Dock - Rumex Sp.

Family: Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family

"Habit: Annual to perennial herb; glabrous or papillate and hairy; rhizomed, stoloned, or generally from taproot with a short caudex; occasionally dioecious. Stem: prostrate, decumbent, or generally erect to ascending, often +- ridged, red-brown in fruit, nodes +- swollen. Leaf: generally basal and cauline, alternate, petioled except uppermost cauline; ocreae deciduous to persistent. Inflorescence: axillary or generally terminal, generally panicle-like. Flower: generally bisexual, bell-shaped, glabrous, green, +- pink, or red; perianth lobes 6, persistent, in fruit outer 3 +- inconspicuous, inner 3 enlarged, hardened, +- veiny, covering fruit, midrib of 1--3 often expanded into tubercle; stamens 6; stigmas 3, fringed. Fruit: achene, glabrous, +- black or dark brown to +- red.
Species In Genus: 190--200 species: +- worldwide, 63 in North America. Etymology: (Latin: sorrel) Note: Mature inner perianth lobes generally needed for identification. Species often hybridize." [Jepson]

Local Species;

1. Rumex acetosa - Common Sorrel
2. Rumex acetosella - sheep sorrel
3. Rumex occidentalis (Syn. Rumex aquaticus) - western dock
   • var fenestratus
4. Rumex britannica - Greater water dock
5. Rumex conglomeratus - clustered dock
6. Rumex crispus - curled dock
7. Rumex fueginus - golden dock
8. Rumex obtusifolius - bitter dock
9. Rumex triangulivalvis - willow dock
10. Rumex transitorius - Pacific willow dock

Common Sorrel - Rumex acetosa

• Rumex acetosa ssp. acetosa
• Rumex acetosa ssp. thyrsiflorus ^[E-flora-1]

"Botanical assessment of this taxon in British Columbia has shown that Rumex acetosa is a rare introduction in BC that is known from only one site on the Saanich Penisula (Lomer pers. comm. 2012). There is a lag time between specimen re-identification and incorporation of that into the databases we use for mapping." ^[E-flora-1]

• Syn: Rumex alpestris Scop.^[E-flora-1]
• General: "Perennial dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants) herb from a taproot surmounted by simple or branched crown, with coarse roots; stems erect, solitary to several, simple (below the inflorescence), 30-100 cm tall, stout, ribbed, smooth." ^{[IFBC-E-flora-1]}
• Leaves: "Basal leaves oblong to oblong-lanceolate, at least the lower ones arrowhead-shaped with the lobes pointing downward, smooth, the blades 2-10 cm long, the stalks long; stem leaves alternate, similar, becoming short stalked or unstalked (and clasping) above." ^{[IFBC-E-flora-1]}
• Flowers: "Inflorescence of numerous, unisexual flowers in large, elongate panicles, 10-20 cm long; flower stalks jointed near middle; perianths reddish, outer segments about 1.5-3 mm long, becoming sharply reflexed, inner segments erect, 3-4 mm long, loosely enclosing the achenes in fruit, with a small, basal, grain-like swelling." ^{[IFBC-E-flora-1]}
• Fruits: "Achenes, dark brown, smooth, 2-2.5 mm long." ^{[IFBC-E-flora-1]}
• Status: Exotic ^[E-flora-1]
• Habitat/Range; "Moist to mesic meadows, streambanks, thickets and forest openings in the montane to alpine zones (ssp. alpestris), mesic to dry roadsides and waste places in the montane zone (ssp. acetosa); ssp. alpestris - common in N BC east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains, infrequent in S BC east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains, ssp. acetosa - rare in S BC; ssp. alpestris N to AK, YT and NT, and E to Greenland, ssp. acetosa introduced from Eurasia." ^{[IFBC-E-flora-1]}

Sheep Sorrel - Rumex acetosella

Synonyms

• Acetosa hastulata. Acetosa hastifolia. Acetosa angustata.
• Acetosella acetosella (L.) Small
• Acetosella tenuifolia (Wallr.) A. Löve
• Acetosella vulgaris Fourr.
• Rumex acetosella subsp. acetosella
• Rumex acetosella subsp. angiocarpus (Murb.) Murb.
• Rumex acetosella var. pyrenaeus (Pourr.) Timbal-Lagrave
• Rumex acetosella var. tenuifolius Wallr.
• Rumex angiocarpus Murb.
• Rumex tenuifolius (Wallr.) A. Löve

• Origin Status: Exotic
• General:"Annual or perennial dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants) herb from slender rhizomes and simple to branched crowns; stems erect, several, simple (below the inflorescence), 15-30 cm tall, smooth."
• Leaves: "Basal leaves linear to egg-shaped, at least some arrowhead-shaped, with the lobes pointing outwards, smooth, the blades 1-5 cm long, the stalks often longer than the blades; stem leaves alternate, similar but reduced upward, nearly unstalked."
  
• Flowers: "Inflorescence of unisexual flowers in an open, large but narrow panicle; flower stalks jointed near the base of the flower; perianths 1-1.5 mm long, reddish to yellowish, the inner segments tightly enclosing the achenes, lacking a grain-like swelling."
  
• Fruits: "Achenes, golden brown, smooth, about 1.5 mm long."
• Habitat/Range "Mesic to dry gardens, fields, roadsides and waste places; common in S BC, rare northward; introduced from Eurasia." ^{[IFBC-E-flora-2]}

Greater Water Dock - Rumex britannica

Clustered dock - Rumex conglomeratus

• General: Perennial herb from a strong taproot; stems erect, usually solitary, unbranched (below the inflorescence), 60-100 cm tall, smooth. ^{[IFBC-E-flora-5]}
• Leaves: Basal and lower stem leaves oblong to oblong-lanceolate, blunt to nearly heart-shaped at the base, smooth, the blades up to 15 cm long, the stalks long; stem leaves alternate, similar, reduced upwards. ^{[IFBC-E-flora-5]}
• Flowers: Inflorescence of many flowers in an open, much-branched, leafy-bracted panicle; flower stalks jointed below midlength; outer perianth segments 1-1.5 mm long, inner perianths segments 2-3 mm long, with oblong, grain-like swellings half the length of the segment. ^{[IFBC-E-flora-5]}
• Fruits: Achenes, smooth, about 1.5-2 mm long. ^{[IFBC-E-flora-5]}
• Habitat/Range: "Mesic to dry roadsides, waste places, ditches and shorelines in the lowland zone; locally frequent on S Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and adjacent lower mainland, introduced from Eurasia." ^{[IFBC-E-flora-5]}
• Status: Exotic ^[E-flora-5]

Yellow/Curly Dock - Rumex crispus

• Named yellowdock after the color of its roots. ^{[Mase WMS]}

"Rumex crispus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to October, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." ^[PFAF]

• Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora]
  
• General: "Perennial herb from a stout taproot; stems erect, solitary, unbranched (below the inflorescence), 50-100 cm tall, smooth."
  
• Leaves: "Basal leaves oblong-lanceolate, wedge-shaped to rounded at the base, strongly crisp-margined, the blades 10-30 cm long, the stalks long, pimply and finely hairy; stem leaves alternate, reduced upward, becoming short-stalked."
  
• Flowers: "Inflorescence of numerous flowers in a large, dense, usually greenish, elongate panicle; flower stalks jointed below midlength; outer perianth segments about 1.5 mm long, inner perianth segments mostly 4-6 mm long, each usually with an elliptic-oblong, net-veined, grain-like swelling."
  
• Fruits: "Achenes brown, smooth, shiny, about 2.5 mm long."
• Habitat / Range "Moist to mesic roadsides, ditches and disturbed sites; common in SW BC, frequent elsewhere in S BC south of 55degreeN; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora] "THE Curled Dock is a very common, often troublesome weed in waste places, pastures, and cultivated fields. It is native of Europe and Asia but was early introduced into America and is now found nearly throughout the United States." ^[EWP]

Golden Dock - Rumex fueginus

• General: Annual or biennial herb from a taproot; stems erect, solitary, freely branched, somewhat pimply and finely hairy, 20-60 cm tall.
• Leaves: Basal leaves reduced or lacking; stem leaves alternate, narrowly oblong to lanceolate, the margins somewhat crisped, usually slightly hairy beneath, the blades 4-10 cm long, reduced upward, the stalks short.
• Flowers: Inflorescence of numerous flowers in tight whorls in a large and leafy panicle, golden brown at maturity; flower stalks jointed near the base; perianth segments 1-2 mm long at flowering, the outer segments enlarging to 3-7 mm long including the long-tapering, sharp tips, each segment with 2-4 slender teeth 2-5 mm long and also usually with a prominent, narrow, grain-like swelling.
• Fruits: Achenes brown, smooth, shiny, 1.5-2 mm long.
• Habitat/Range: "Moist to wet shorelines or marshes in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent in S BC, disjunct in NW BC (Dease Lake) and NE BC (Peace River area); circumpolar, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NS and S to NC, AR, TX, NM, AZ and CA; Eurasia, S America." [IFBC-E-flora]

Syn: R. fueginus = Rumex maritimus L. [E-flora]

Status: Native [E-flora]

Bitter Dock - Rumex obtusifolius

Family: Polygonaceae - Buckwheat Family

"Rumex obtusifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. It is in flower from Jun to October, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF] Origin Status: Exotic General: "Perennial herb from a large taproot; stems erect, solitary, simple (below the inflorescence), 60-120 cm tall, pimply and finely hairy." Leaves: "Basal leaves widely oblong or widely egg-shaped, heart-shaped at the base, the margins often crisped, the blades 10-30 cm long, the stalks long; stem leaves alternate, several, similar to basal leaves but reduced upward." Flowers: "Inflorescence of numerous flowers in a large, many-flowered panicle, 30-50 cm long; perianths greenish-brown, the segments with short, stout teeth on each margin; outer segments about 3 mm long, the ascending inner segments about 5 mm long, net-veined, the margins with 2-4 teeth and usually 1 of the 3 segments with a prominent, grain-like swelling." Fruits: "Achenes, brown, smooth, shiny, about 2 mm long." Habitat / Range "Mesic to dry roadsides and disturbed areas in the lowland zone; frequent in SW BC, infrequent in SC BC, rare in the Queen Charlotte Islands; introduced from Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora] "It is a native of Europe but is now a common weed in this country, as far west as the plains." [EWP] Synonyms Acetosa oblongifolia (L.) A. Löve & D. Löve Rumex obtusifolius subsp. agrestis (Fr.) Danser Rumex obtusifolius subsp. obtusifolius Rumex obtusifolius subsp. sylvestris (Wallr.) Rech. f. Rumex obtusifolius var. sylvestris (Wallr.) Koch [E-flora]

Western Dock - Rumex occidentalis

"Rumex occidentalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft).
It is not frost tender. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." ^[PFAF]

SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC

• Rumex aquaticus var. fenestratus
• General: "Perennial herb from a strong taproot; stems usually erect, simple, (below the inflorescence), 50-150 cm tall, reddish, usually smooth."
• Leaves: "Basal leaves oblong-lanceolate to egg-shaped, usually heart-shaped at base, more-or-less crisp-margined, usually smooth, the blades 5-40 cm long, the stalks long; stem leaves alternate, few, much reduced upward."
• Flowers: "Inflorescence of numerous flowers in a large (20-50 cm long), narrow, compound panicle; flower stalks not jointed; perianths greenish, the outer segments 2-4 mm long, the inner segments 4-10 mm long, net-veined, becoming reddish, lacking a grain-like swelling."
• Fruits: "Achenes, chestnut brown, smooth, 2-4 mm long."
• Notes: "This species is closely related to R. arcticus.."
• Habitat/Range: "Moist to wet meadows, tidal marshes or shorelines in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent throughout BC, infrequent on the Queen Charlotte Islands; N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to SD, UT, NM and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
  

Synonyms

• Rumex aquaticus
• Rumex aquaticus subsp. fenestratus (Greene) Hultén
• Rumex aquaticus subsp. occidentalis (S. Watson) Hultén
• Rumex fenestratus Greene
• Rumex occidentalis var. fenestratus (Greene) Lepage
• Rumex occidentalis var. labradoricus (Rech. f.) Lepage
• Rumex occidentalis var. procerus (Greene) J.T. Howell
• Rumex subalpinus M.E. Jones [E-flora]

Pacific willow dock - Rumex transitorius

Synonyms

• Rumex salicifolius
• Rumex salicifolius subsp. salicifolius .
• Rumex salicifolius var. salicifolius .
• Rumex mexicanus [E-flora]

Status: Native [E-flora]

Willow dock - Rumex triangulivalvis

Synonyms and Alternate Names

• Rumex salicifolius subsp. triangulivalvis
• Rumex salicifolius subsp. triangulivalvis
• Rumex salicifolius subsp. triangulivalvis
• Rumex salicifolius subsp. triangulivalvis
• Rumex salicifolius var. mexicanus (Meisn.) C.L. Hitchc. [E-flora]

Status: Native [E-flora]

Key to Rumex

la Staminate and pistillate flowers on separate plants; leaves arrowhead-shaped .................... R. acetosella
lb Stamens and pistils in the same flower; leaves not arrow-head shaped
2a Annuals or biennials; leaves linear to narrowly lanceolate; mostly in wet, saline areas ....................... R. maritimus
2b Perennials
3a Inner perianth segments with teeth or bristles over 1 mm. long
4a Basal leaf blades narrowly lanceolate; panicle branches spreading. ............................... R. pulcher
4b Basal leaf blades broadly ovate to ovate-oblong; panicle branches ascending to erect ..................... R. obtusifolius
3b Inner perianth segments entire or nearly so
5a Leaves mostly cauline; stems branching from most nodes, often prostate to ascending ............... R. salicifolius
5b Leaves basal as well as cauline; stems essentially unbranched below the inflorescence, erect
6a Inner perianth segments without conspicuous callosities ......... R. occidentalis
6b At least 1 of the inner perianth segments with a conspicuous callosity
7a Margins of all the leaves strongly crisped; inflorescence of nearly contiguous whorls of flowers ....... R. crispus
7b Margins of the leaves not all crisped, none strongly so; flowers in distinct whorls .................. R. conglomeratus
[E-flora]

Hazards

• Rumex Sp.
  • "Rumex and Polygonum species contain oxalate salts and oxalic acid, which gives them a tart taste. They should not be eaten in large quantities, however, because the oxalates may interfere with calcium metabolism in the body, especially in a calcium-poor diet." "All the species of this group (genus Rumex) may contain varying amounts of oxalates which have sometimes caused poisoning to livestock when eaten to excess. There is probably no danger to human beings when taken in ordinary amounts, in fact the sour taste provides one of the main desirable features of the plants."
  • "Contains oxalic acid; like spinach, do not eat more than twice a week." "Oxalic acid levels may attain 10 to 35% of dry matter in some species." ^[MPB-Duke]
  • Toxic to Poultry: "...dock seeds are toxic to poultry in large doses." ^{[Jones TDFB]}
• R. acetosella, R. crispus, R. obtusifolius, R. occidentalis; "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[238]." ^[PFAF]
  • R. acetosa; "In normal quantities, sorrel is safe, but be wary of overdosing on the tangy plants since, like other leafy greens including spinach and kale, the oxalic acids can cause kidney stones or aggravate gout or arthritis. Cooking the leaves will lessen the harmful effects of the acids." ^{[NAH Orr]} "Caution for people prone to kidney stone." "...it is still quite often eaten, always remembering the oxalate in the leaves, which can make it poisonous if a lot of it is eaten." "Oxalate poisonings are conceivable only with the consumption of very large quantities of the leaves as a salad."
  • R. acetosella; "Those with kidney stones should avoid this plant. Oxalates should be avoided by patients with endometriosis and nephrosis. Oxalic acid levels may attain 10–35% of dry matter in some species. The LDlo reported for humans is 700 mg/kg body weight. Weighing 110 kg, my LDlo would be 77,000 mg, or 77 g (more than 2 ounces of oxalic acid) (HOW)."
  • R. cispus; Avoid during pregnancy & breast feeding. "Patients with kidney stone should beware. Tannins (AHP). CAN cautions that anthraquinones can be laxative and irritate the GI tract. Because of the anthraquinones, nonstandardized preparations should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation (CAN).... Large doses should be avoided due to the oxalate content (PNC). One fatality reported from too much yellow dock soup, perhaps due to oxalate poisoning (PHR)." "Warnings generally associated with stimulant laxatives are also applicable to yellow dock.... In general, unstandardised stimulant laxatives are not recommended for use during pregnancy.... The use of yellow dock by breastfeeding women should also be avoided, since it has been documented that anthraquinones can be secreted into the breast milk....Dermatitis has been reported in livestock following the ingestion of plant material in large quantities.(G51)" "Use with moderation in pregnancy." ^{[Moore(1995)]}
    • Root: "I mistakenly used this plants root in a recipe thinking it was a relative to Burdock root, and found myself nauseous and eventually throwing up. Do your research foragers, don't be like me!" ^{[User comment - Administrator, PFAF]} "...mucus membrane irritation, accompanied by vomiting is possible following intake of the fresh rhizome, due to its anthrone content. The anthrones are oxidized to anthraquinones after dehydration and storage." "Some caution is advised in its use since excess doses can cause gastric disturbance, nausea and dermatitis[222, 238]." ^[PFAF]
    • Oxalic Acid: "Oxalic acid is known to be a toxic plant acid that forms insoluble calcium salts which cause a disturbance in calcium concentrations and hence affect the blood coagulation mechanism.(G33)" "Oxalate poisonings are conceivable primarily with the consumption of numerous leaves eaten as salad. One case of death following consumption of a soup made from the leaves of the curled Yellow Dock has been described (see Frohne)."

Food Use

• Rumex Sp.; "The ancient Egyptians and ancient Romans ate sorrel to counteract rich foods".^{[mcvicar GH]} "There are over a dozen plants of this area that resemble the above, and all are called "docks." All of them are edible to some degree, although some of them are not very pleasant tasting."
• Rumex acetosa: the wild form of which has given origin to larger varieties. Its leaves are used in the kitchen in the preparation of soups and as an accompaniment to white meat or fish. ^{[Paoletti 1995]} "The main use of wild sorrel in the past has been culinary.... But it was employed as we now do lemons, especially for a green sauce with fish. The usual way of making it was by pulping the leaves and mixing them with sugar and vinegar. The boiled leaves are said to go well with pork or goose in lieu of apple sauce.... Sour-sab pie (sour-sab being a west country name for wild sorrel) is a Cornish dish made of the tender leaves and stalks. It is eaten with sugar and cream (Jago), and sorrel pie is a favourite in America, as is stewed sorrel (Sanford). In Lancashire, green sauce dumplings were made by chopping Wild Sorrel, mixing it with suet and flour, and boiling, as a dumplings, in broth or water (Crosby)."
• R. acetosella;
  • Leaves Leaves are edible. ^{[Hemenway GG]} "Raw or cooked[2, 4, 5, 7, 13, 27]. They make a thirst-quenching on their own, or can be added to salads, used as a potherb or pureed and used in soups[183]. A delicious lemon-like flavour, liked by most people who try them, they can be rather overpowering in quantity and are more generally used as a flavouring in mixed salads[K]. The leaves can also be dried for later use[12]. The leaves can be available all through the winter, especially in mild weather or if a little protection is given to the plants[K]. The leaves should be used sparingly in the diet[9, 21], see the notes on toxicity above." ^[PFAF]
    • Preparation: "We gathered the leaves in the spring.... The large coarse leaves, upon cooking, became surprisingly tender. We have been told that a second crop of young leaves may be produced in the fall, particularly after a rain. We boiled these young leaves for 10 minutes in limited liquid without changing water at all. Served with salt, pepper, and vinegar or lemon juice, like spinach, they proved to be very good."
  • Soup: "Wash about a handful of sorrel and put In a pan with a little water (not covered). Cook slowly for 30 minutes. Put 4 cups of milk with a small whole white onion in a double broiler. Add 2 teaspoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour (blended to avoid lumps) to the hot milk. Let stand, add sorrel and strain. Season to taste. This serves about 6 people."
  • Beverage: "A beverage can be made from sorrel, steeping the leaves in water and cooling the liquid. This is said to be a refreshing drink but does not keep for very long periods."
  • Flowers: "Cooked as a vegetable or used as a garnish[183]." ^[PFAF]
    
  • Roots "Cooked. It is dried, ground into a powder and made into noodles[105]." Roots are edible. (Harrington (1974), Gibbons and Tucker (1979), Fernald et al. (1958), and Facciola (1990))^[EMNMPV.9]
  • Seed: "Raw or cooked[172]. Ground into a powder and mixed with other flours to make bread[183]. The seed is easy to harvest, but is rather small and fiddly to use[K]." ^[PFAF]
    
  • Juice: "Juice of the leaves can be used as a curdling agent for milks[4, 183]." ^[PFAF]
• R. crispus; "...can be eaten, either cooked or raw, if picked when its leaves are tender." ^{[NAH Orr]} Leaf and root are edible. ^{[Hemenway GG]} "...leaves (particularly the tips) and seeds are edible." ^{[Jones TDFB]} "condiments rather than vegetables." ^{[Mallik CEP]} "Leaves and seeds edible; tender young leaves, as they emerge, are most edible. Older leaves are tough and bitter and must be cooked in 2 changes of water." Curly dock is the best of all the docks
  • Leaves: "The leaves should be gathered in the spring when young and tender and cooked as a potherb. They should be parboiled or the water changed by those who do not like the slightly bitter taste. A little bacon, ham, or salt pork is generally cooked with the dock, and a small amount of vinegar added. Housewives often prefer to mix the greens, using dock, dandelions, and the tender tops of Horse-Radish or Mustard." ^[EWP]"Raw or cooked[5, 85, 159]. They can also be dried for later use[12]. The leaves can be added to salads, cooked as a potherb or added to soups[183]. Only the very young leaves should be used, preferably before the stems have developed, and even these are likely to be bitter[12, 95, 257]. If used in early spring and in the autumn they can often be fairly pleasant tasting[85, 159, K]. The leaves are very rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iron and the vitamins A and C[183, 244]." ^[PFAF]
  • Stems: "Raw or cooked[257]. They are best peeled and the inner portion eaten[257]." ^[PFAF]
  • Seeds: "Dock seeds are edible in late summer and autumn. Hulled seeds can be ground into flour and used as a soup thickener or as a flour extender in baked goods." "Raw or cooked[172, 257]. It can be used as a piñole or can be ground into a powder and used as a flour for making pancakes etc[85, 102, 183, 257]. The seed is very fiddly to harvest and prepare[62]. The roasted seed has been used as a coffee substitute[207]." ^[PFAF]
  • Herb: (dry wt) 8.3% moisture, 17.8% ash, 22.5% protein, 14.7% fiber. ^{[Lira EM]}
• R. obtusifolius; "The mature leaves are very bitter. Broadleaf dock can be used interchangeably with curly dock (Rumex crispus)". "Dock leaves (particularly the tips) and seeds are edible."^{[Jones TDFB]} "condiments rather than vegetables." ^{[Mallik CEP]} "In many respects it is quite similar to the Curled Dock. It is generally more robust with broader leaves. It also has a more bitter taste." ^[EWP]
  • Greens: "The Broad-Leaved or Bitter Dock, Rumex obtusifolius, is also recommended for greens. In many respects it is quite similar to the Curled Dock. It is generally more robust with broader leaves. It also has a more bitter taste." ^[EWP] "Young leaves - cooked[8, 22, 46, 61]. A bitter taste, especially if the older leaves are used[105, 183]. The leaves are usually cooked in at least one change of water in order to reduce the bitterness[183]. Leaves can also be dried for later use[12]. The leaves have a much milder flavour when they are first produced in early spring[K]. Young stems - cooked[257]." ^[PFAF]
  • Seed: "Seed - raw or cooked[102, 172]. The seed can also be ground into a powder and used to make a gruel or added to cereal flours when making bread etc[102]. It is rather small and fiddly to harvest." ^[PFAF]
• R. occidentalis; "This plant is known to many Northwest Coast Indigenous Peoples as "Indian rhubarb."
  • "The stems and leaves of the young plants, from spring until June when flowering occurs, were, and still are, eaten, usually after cooking." "The leaves of this plant were chopped and boiled alone or with wild rice (Fritillaria camschatcensis) and also used in soup or stew. The stems were cooked separately. The plant is still used occasionally."
    • Preparation: "They were steamed, boiled or fried and eaten alone or with meat or other foods. Leaves cooked and mashed with ooligan grease and eaten like spinach.... They generally cooked the stems separately. Jam made from the reddish stems, cooked with sugar and sometimes mixed with strawberries. Other also eat the stems and leaves of this species, and probably related Rumex species as well, including some of the introduced types. Chilcotin people, for example, eat the leaves of a dock-like plant, probably this species, fresh or boiled with sugar."
  • Young Leaves: "Cooked[61, 105, 161, 172]. Used like spinach[257]. A bitter taste, the native North American Indians would add oil to improve the flavour[256]." ^[PFAF]
  • Young Stems: "Cooked[256]. Used like rhubarb [256]." ^[PFAF]
  • Seeds: "Seeds of western dock were reportedly eaten by Montana Indians." "Raw or cooked[161, 177, 257]. The seed can also be ground into a powder and used to make a gruel or added to cereal flours when making bread etc. It is rather small and fiddly to harvest." ^[PFAF]

Other Use

• R. acetosella;
  • Polish: An infusion of the stems is used as a polish for bamboo and wicker furniture and also for silver[53, 238]. ^[PFAF]
    
  • Stain Remover: The juice of the plant removes stains from linen[14] and also ink stains (but not ball-point ink) from white material[53, 238]. It is sometimes sold as 'essential salt of lemon'[4]. ^[PFAF]
    
• Dye:
  • R. acetosa; "...it did have one or two folk uses, one of which was to use the juice to take rust marks out of linen (M McNeill). And of course it was used for dyeing wool. On South Uist, it was used on its own to colour red; mixed with indigo, it could dye blue (Shaw). The roots were used in the Welsh industry, too – two parts of the sorrel to one part of wool, the whole lot boiled up for three or four hours, to produce a brown colour (Jenkins)."
  • R. acetosella; "Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots, they do not need a mordant[168]. A grey-blue dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[106]." ^[PFAF]
    
  • R. crispus; "Yellow, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots. They do not need a mordant[168]." ^[PFAF]
  • R. obtusifolius; "Yellow, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of this plant[14, 168]. They do not need a mordant[168]." ^[PFAF]
  • R. occidentalis;"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[168]." ^[PFAF]
• Smoke:
  • R. crispus; "According to Smith (1932), the Flambeau Ojibwa of North America mixed this species with other unspecified species and smoked the mixture to lure game." ^[UAPDS] "Many people in this area have used the seed as a substitute for tobacco or in a mixture with it; in fact this dock is often called "Indian tobacco." We have tried it and it does seem to be a reasonably good substitute."
  • R. orbiculatus; "The Flambeau Ojibwa of North America smoked dried seeds of this dock to lure game (Smith 1932)." ^[UAPDS]
• Veterinary Uses:
  • R. crispus; Leaves applied topically for skin rash. ^{[Lans et al., 2006]}

Medicinal Use

• Rumex Spp.
  • Root - "Grinded and extract for swelling" ^{[Gupta HTNH]}
  • "Dock - Leaves, root - Chew, snuff, poultice - Diarrhea, constipation, headache, chill fever". ^{[Helaine_Selin]}
• R. acetosa; "Aggregated with R. crispus L. by MAD. Frankly, I think most species seem to share the same chemistries and indications." Activities: "Allergenic (1; WOI); Antibacterial (1; PH2); Antipyretic (f; EFS; KAB; MAD); Antiscorbutic (f; HHB); Antiseptic (1; PH2); Ascaricide (f; HHB); Depurative (f; EFS; HHB; PH2); Diaphoretic (f; EFS); Diuretic (1; HHB; PH2; WOI); Hemostat (f; EFS); Hypoglycemic (1; WOI); Laxative (f; EFS); Litholytic (f; MAD); Secretagogue (1; PH2); Stomachic (f; HHB); Vermifuge (f; HHB)." [HMH Duke]
  • "It is still used in folk medicine externally for skin disorders, or internally as a purge (Schauenberg & Paris)." "The herb is used for acute and chronic inflammation of die nasal passages and respiratory tract. It is also used as an adjuvant in antibacterial therapy. Folk medicine uses include stomach ailments, liver and biliary ailments and purification of the blood." [????]
  • Cleansing:
    • Juice: "As with nettles (Urtica) and burdock (Arctium), one of the functions of sorrel has been to cleanse the blood of impurities and thereby clear up spots. To that end the juice has been drunk in the Isle of Man¹²⁸ and Berwickshire.^{129 [MPFT]}
    • Root: "The Isle of Man seems to have been alone in making use of the roots, to stimulate the kidneys.¹³⁹ Ireland has shared most of these applications. It has been drunk to cleanse the system in Wicklow¹⁴⁰ and Carlow,¹⁴¹ to help the kidneys and cool fevers in Clare142 and, mixed with thistle tops and plantain heads, to cure consumption in Kildare¹⁴³;" ^[MPFT]
  • Antiscorbutic: The "leaves have been eaten as a cure for scurvy..." ^[MPFT]
  • "As a cooling herb the plant served in the Highlands as a digestive¹³⁴ and an appetiser¹³⁵; its leaves were eaten by consumptives and infusions drunk by the fevered¹³⁶"^[MPFT]
  • Topical Use: "It has also enjoyed a reputation there for curing minor wounds and bruises.¹³⁷ Similarly, the leaves have healed sores and bruises in Sligo¹⁴⁴ and Limerick¹⁴⁵ and staunched bleeding in Wicklow¹⁴⁶ and Cavan.¹⁴⁷.... The leaves, in some cases crumbled and boiled first, have served in six of the south-eastern counties to poultice boils, septic sores and the pustules of chickenpox. ^[MPFT] "“Externally” must presumably mean the use of a leaf poultice. Corns can be dealt with by a mixture of bruised sorrel and lard..."
  • Misc Uses:
    • "Much more locally, the plant has been employed for jaundice and sore throat in Cavan,¹⁴⁸ cancer in ‘Ulster’,¹⁴⁹ burns in Meath,¹⁵⁰ warts in Waterford,¹⁵¹ heart trouble in Tipperary (mixed with dandelions, Taraxacum) ¹⁵² and anaemia in some part of the country unidentified.¹⁵³" ^[MPFT]
    • "An Irish cure for cancer, for instance, was to drink a decoction of the dried flowers (Egan)."
    • "A more esoteric reason for eating the leaves in Cumbria has been the belief that this relieved epilepsy.¹³⁸" ^[MPFT]
  • Dosage:
    • Fresh leaves/Whole Herb: "Liquid — 1:4 Daily Dosage: The dosage for adults is 2 coated tablets or 50 drops (drops with 19% Ethanol) taken 3 times daily."
• R. acetosella; "...reputed to treat inflammation, scurvy, and diarrhea." ^{[NAH Orr]}
  • "Used interchangeably with R. acetosa (HHB)." ^{[HMH Duke]}
  • Activities: "Allergenic (1; WOI); Antipyretic (f; EFS; FAD; KAB); Antitumor (1; FNF); Depurative (f; EFS); Diaphoretic (f; EFS; KAB; WOI); Diuretic (f; FAD; PNC; WOI); Hemostat (f; EFS); Laxative (1; APA; EFS); Peristaltic (f; APA)." ^{[HMH Duke]}
  • Indications: "...Cancer (1; FAD; FNF; WOI); Cancer, colon (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, eye (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, face (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, skin (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, stomach (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, throat (1; FNF; JLH);..." ^{[HMH Duke]}
  • Leaves: "The fresh or dried leaves are astringent, diuretic, laxative and refrigerant[4, 7, 14, 21, 238]. They are used to make a cooling drink in the treatment of fevers and are especially useful in the treatment of scurvy[4]." ^[PFAF]
    
  • Leaf Juice: "Mixed with fumitory, has been used as a cure for itchy skin and ringworm[4]. An infusion of the root is astringent, diuretic and haemostatic[4, 7, 14, 21, 218]. It has been used in the treatment of jaundice, gravel and kidney stones[4]." ^[PFAF]
    
  • Root & Seeds: "Both the roots and the seeds have been used to stem haemorrhages[4]." ^[PFAF]
    
  • Root: "A paste of the root is applied to set dislocated bones[272]." ^[PFAF]
    
  • Plant: "The plant is depurative and stomachic[7, 14, 21, 218]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9]. It is used in the treatment of spasms and skin ailments[9]." ^[PFAF]
• R. Britannica "Forest Pota-watomi as far as we know, still they use the root as a blood purifier. Among the whites,225 the root is considered to have the same properties as Rumex crispus which are alterative, tonic, blood purifying, astringent and antiscorbutic. The Dispensatory,226 states that the root has tonic, laxative, alterative and diuretic properties. It has been used in cases of scorbutus, cutaneous scrofula, cancer, syphilis, leprosy, elephantiasis, and as a blood purifier. The fresh root has been boiled in lard to furnish an ointment for the treatment of scrofula." ^{[HuronSmith Zuni]}
• R. crispus; "The roots have been used medicinally as a laxative, to relieve skin conditions, and to get rid of tapeworm and roundworm." ^{[NAH Orr]} "HHB mixes, appropriately methinks, R. crispus L. and R. obtusifolius L." "Far from simply alleviating discomfort, yellowdock (and most all bitter remedies) can help resolve long-term “stuck” conditions." ^{[Mase WMS]} "The plant has traditionally been used like the Red Dock (R. aquatica) for its similar properties, in decoctions for scurvy and other skin eruptions, and as a 'blood cleanser." "All parts of the plant can be used, though the root is most active medicinally." [????]
  • "Traditionally, it has been used for chronic skin disease, obstructive jaundice, constipation, and specifically for psoriasis with constipation.(G7,G64)"
  • Activities: Allergenic (x1 [sources]); Alterative (x3); Analgesic (x1); Antiangiogenic (x2); Antibacterial (x2); Anticancer (x2); Antipyretic (x1); Antiscorbutic (x1); Antiseptic (x2); Antispasmodic (x1); Astringent (x5); Cholagogue (x1); Cytotoxic (x2); Depurative (x4); Dermatitigenic (x1); Discutient (x1); Emetic (x1); Fungicide (x1); Hepatonic (x1); Hypotensive (x1); Laxative (x6); Parasiticide (1; CRC); Peristaltic (x1); Rubefacient (x2); Sedative (x1); Tonic (x5).
  • Indications: "... Cancer (x4); Cancer, breast; cervix; parotid; spleen; throat (x1);...Dermatosis (x4); Diarrhea (x6);...Tuberculosis (x4);"
  • Dermatological: "Curled dock has a long history of domestic herbal use. It is The plant has valuable cleansing properties and is useful for treating a wide range of skin problems[254]." Decoction of "yellow dock (Rumex crispus) can be sponged on to spots to relieve severe itching." ^{[McIntyre AHTC]} "...it is a useful first-aid herb to relieve the unpleasantness of sunburn—try bathing the affected skin with a cooled infusion made from the leaves." ^{[mcvicar GH]} "We find the leaves being applied to burns and scalds, and for dressing blisters (Fernie).... a dock leaf applied to the forehead will get rid of a headache, too (V G Hatfield)."
    • Seeds: Boils were "...treated in East Anglia by drinking an infusion of the seed of Broad-leaved Dock (V G Hatfield)."
    • Leaves: "Cornish people even treated shingles with a liquid made from dock and bramble leaves (Courtney)." "...used for scrofulous conditions (Grieve. 1931). A dock leaf poultice was an Irish treatment for what they called “sore leg”. The procedure was to remove the central stem of the leaves, and then to warm the leaves at the fire before applying them. This poultice was also believed to be useful for cleaning out a wound (Logan)"
      • "Leaf Juice: In Ireland...juice was squeezed out of the leaves and put on to a cloth which was then tied round a stone-bruise. ^[MPFT]
  • Root: "Improves the function of the kidneys, liver, lymph, and intestines." ^{[Mars NFA]}
    • Decoction: "In Cavan a decoction of the roots (which have been proved to have purgative properties) was drunk for constipation and liver trouble, and in Sligo for liver trouble, skin diseases and rheumatism." ^[MPFT]
    • Laxative: "...a gentle and safe laxative, less powerful than rhubarb in its action so it is particularly useful in the treatment of mild constipation[254]. "...there is no safer or gentler bitter when it comes to ensuring regular bowel function." ^{[Mase CEP]} "It can cause or relieve diarrhoea according to the dose, harvest time and relative concentrations of tannin (astringent) and anthraquinones (laxative) that are present[222]. It is used internally in the treatment of constipation, diarrhoea, piles, bleeding of the lungs, various blood complaints and also chronic skin diseases[4, 238, 257]." ^[PFAF]
    • Externally, "...the root can be mashed and used as a poultice and salve, or dried and used as a dusting powder, on sores, ulcers, wounds and various other skin problems[257]. The root has been used with positive effect to restrain the inroads made by cancer, being used as an alterative and tonic[4]. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[4]." ^[PFAF] In the Hebrides, dock roots were boiled with a little butter and applied on a bandage to a burn (Shaw). "Gypsies use a decoction of the sliced root taken in elderberry wine to dispel a spring rash (Vesey-Fitzgerald), or you could just rub the dock leaves on (Tongue)." "...docks have been used for skin troubles for a very long time. Dock tea, for instance, is an old remedy for boils (Fernie), while Blackfoot Indians made a poultice of the leaves of Curly Dock to apply to the boil."
  • Leaves: "...the leaves can help with water retention, edema, bloating, and fluid stagnation in the body." ^{[Mase CEP]}
  • Seeds: "The seed is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[4, 218]." ^[PFAF]
  • Mucilage: "...in the spring there is a sticky mucilage that forms right where the plant emerges from the soil: because of this, the crowns were traditionally collected and mixed with animal fat to make dock-leaf ointment, a remedy for all kinds of cuts and skin irritation." ^{[Mase CEP]}
  • Dosages: "ROOT. Tincture [Fresh Root, 1:2, Dry Root, 1:5, 50% alcohol], 30-75 drops, to 3X a day.... Use with moderation in pregnancy. In all cases it works best in sub-laxative doses." ^{[Moore(1995)]} "Dried root 2–4 g as a decoction three times daily.(G7), Liquid extract 2–4 mL (1 : 1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily.(G7), Tincture 1–2 mL (1 : 5 in 45% alcohol) three times daily.(G7)"
  • "Homeopathic Uses: Uses in homeopathy include inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, asthmatic conditions, tracheal cough and morning diarrhea." "A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root, harvested in the autumn before frost has touched the plant[232]. It is only used in the treatment of a specific type of cough[232]." ^[PFAF]
• R. obtusifolius "...there has probably been no consistent distinction drawn between it and the no less common and generally distributed R. crispus" ^[MPFT]
  • Leaves:
  • External Use: "The leaves are often applied externally as a rustic remedy in the treatment of blisters, burns and scalds[4, 14]." ^[PFAF]
    • Poultice: "...the wide leaves of Rumex obtusifolius most obviously suggest themselves...for the...practice of poulticing the sting with the pulped root, sometimes every few hours, as in the Badenoch district of Inverness-shire.165.... Third in popularity in Britain is applying a leaf to staunch bleeding from a cut, as a second-best to one from a plantain, near-universally favoured for that. That has been recorded from Essex,169 some part of Wales,170 the Isle of Man171 and Shetland.172.... ...the use of either the leaves or the roots as dressings for sores of a variety of kinds, ranging from stone-bruises on the arms of Oxfordshire quarrymen176 to chapped thighs in Norfolk177 and galled feet in Herefordshire178 and Suffolk.179" ^[MPFT]
      • "...the leaves have been used to absorb moisture, as that of perspiring feet in the South Riding of Yorkshire,173 or when heated to alleviate headaches in Norfolk174 or the pain of rheumatism on the Dorset-Somerset border." ^[MPFT]
  • Root: "The root contains tannin and is astringent and blood purifier[257]. A tea made from the roots has been used in the treatment of jaundice, whooping cough, boils and bleeding[4, 257]. An infusion of the root has been used as a wash, especially for children, to treat skin eruptions[257]. One report says that the root has been used as a contraceptive to stop menstruation[257]. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[4]." ^[PFAF]
    • Decoction: "Similarly not met with in the records for Britain is the drinking of a decoction of the roots for liver trouble (Cavan,191 Meath192) and jaundice (Monaghan,193 Limerick194), and, in Wexford,195 bathing cancerous sores in that liquid." ^[MPFT]
    • Infusion: "Docks have also been popular for rashes, but whereas in Somerset181 it has been deemed sufficient just to rub a leaf on one, elsewhere drinking an infusion made from the roots has been the preferred cure for those. In Merseyside,182 for example, erysipelas has been treated with this infusion, and in Cornwall183 it has been mixed with bramble juice and, with a suitable incantation, poured on the part of the body afflicted with shingles." ^[MPFT]
    • Tonic: "...drinking a liquid processed from the roots has been regarded as a curative tonic: for cleansing the blood in Essex,185 Oxfordshire186 and Ayrshire187..." ^[MPFT]
  • Seeds:
    • "In Ireland ...it has been the drinking of a decoction of the seeds for coughs of all kinds, colds and bronchitis. Records of this are virtually confined to the border counties (if veterinary uses for those purposes are added in, seven of them are represented in all)." ^[MPFT]
• R. occidentalis
  • Leaves: "The leaves have been used in herbal sweat baths to treat pains similar to rheumatism all over the body[257]." ^[PFAF] "Leaves used for a sweat bath for pains similar to rheumatism all over the body. Stones were heated, a little cold sand spread over them, and leaves spread on the sand; or else the leaves were spread on hot ashes. The patient sat or lay naked directly on the leaves, and was covered with blankets. Western Nettles (Urtica Lyallii Wats.), small branches of black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa T. and G.) with the leaves on them, or the small kelp found on rocks were sometimes used when leaves of the western dock could not be obtained."
  • Roots: "A poultice of the leaves and mashed, roasted roots has been applied to sores, boils and wounds[257]. A poultice of the root paste has been applied to cuts and boils[257]." "Roots roasted for a short time in a hole in the earth among the ashes of a fire, covered with earth, mashed, and applied in quantity as a poultice for boils. Both leaves and roots used, according to another informant, and the poultice applied to wounds as well as boils." ^[PFAF]

Pharmacology

• Rumex Sp.; "All dock roots are laxative, bitter digestive stimulants."
• R. acetosa; Fresh leaves and whole herb; "Sorrel acts as a diuretic. It stimulates secretion, and improves resistance to infections (antibacterial), although some of these effects are questionable."
• R. crispus; "Herbal extract is mildly antibacterial toward Gram-positive (Mycobacterium, Staphylococcus) and Gramnegative (Escherichia, Shigella). Anthraquinones can arrest growth of ringworm and other fungi (FAD)." "Yellow dock is stated to possess gentle purgative and cholagogue properties." [????] "Alterative, antiscorbutic, astringent, cholagogue, depurative, laxative and mildly tonic[4, 21, 46, 94, 165]. It used to be sold as a tonic and laxative[212]." ^[PFAF] "Yellow dock is stated to possess gentle purgative and cholagogue properties."
  • "Rumex crispus...is found primarily in Asia, specifically in Korea and China. It is widely consumed in traditional medicine in order to control fungal disorders. It is also considered a potent peptic agent. [It's been] used in traditional medicine as a helpful, a tonic and laxative, in rheumatism, bilious complaints, and as an astringent in hemorrhoids, bleeding, etc.... For their astringent action, the fruits have an advantage in dysentery as traditional medicine (Tyler 1993). Recently, it has been reported that R. crispus seed extracts were exhibited in ROS scavenging activity against oxidative stress and protection of living organisms against photo-damage (Suh et al. 2011). " ^{[Lee&Rhee,2013]}
  • Antimalarial: "The entire plant of R. crispus... was harvested at the end of August 2010, in Gongju (Chung Nam Province, Korea)". The compound nepodin was isolated at a yield of 4.8 g/kg of dried R. crispus. "This study newly defined the plant R. crispus as an antimalarial medicine candidate containing nepodin, which exhibited antimalarial activity by the mechanism of PfNDH2 inhibition." ^{[Lee&Rhee,2013]}
  • Dosages: "Extractum Rumicis Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Rumex. Dose, from ten to sixty minims. Specific Rumex. Dose, from five to thirty minims." ^[Ellingwood]
  • Therapy — "The alterative properties of this agent are underestimated. It is a renal depurant and general alterative of much value when ulceration of mucous surfaces or disease of the skin results from impure blood. It acts directly in its restorative influence, purifying the blood, removing morbific material, and quickly cures the disease conditions. It is valuable in ulcerative stomatitis, in nursing sore mouth, and in ulceration of the stomach with great lack of tone, combined with quercus or other tonic astringent, it has no equal in these conditions. It has cured exceedingly persistent cases of exhaustive morning diarrhea, the discharges being very frequent between six and twelve o'clock. It has been used also in the treatment of syphilis and scrofula with good results....the best remedy known to prevent the inroads made by cancer on the human system." ^[Ellingwood]
  • "...laxative, alterative and mildly tonic..."

Phytochemistry

• Rumex Spp.
  • Roots: Emodin, Chrysophanol, and Physcion. ^{[Kuete MPRA]}
• R. acetosa
  • Hyperaccumulator of Zn and Lead. Concentrations in the U.K. were 11,000 mg/kg for Zn and Lead was 5450 mg/kg.^[Reeves]
  • Oxalates: oxalic acid, calcium oxalate
  • Tannins (7-10%)
  • Flavonoids
  • Anthracene derivatives: "anthranoids, aglycones, physcion, chryosphanol, emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, and their glucosides, as well as aloe-emodin acetate"
• R. acetosella - Sheep Sorrel
  • "Polysaccharides show antitumor activity (ZUL)." ^[MPB-Duke]
• R. crispus - Yellow Dock
  • "Anthracene derivatives (0.9-2.5%): anthranoids, aglycones physcion, chryosphanol, emodin, aloe-emodin, rhein, their glucosides" "Anthraquinones 2–4%. Chrysophanol, emodin, nepodin, physcion (aglycones).(1–3)"
  • "Flavonoids: including among others, quercitrin"
  • "Tannins (3-6%)" "Tannins Catechol 5% (condensed-type)."^[PCPB]
  • "Naphthalene derivatives: neopodin 8-glucoside, lapodin"
  • "Oxalates: oxalic acid, calcium oxalate"
  • "The plant constituents documented include oxalic acid, oxalates, chrysophanic acid, emodin, tannin, and a complex volatile oil (more than 60 components identified).(4, G51)"
  • "It contains small quantities of a substance called emodin, found in several species from aloe to rhubarb, which has a mild stimulant effect on the colon and also underlies yellowdock’s anticancer activity." ^{[Mase WMS]}
  • Selenium: Root 25ppm ^{[Downum PPTP]}
  • Zinc Accumulator: "The shoot accumulation of Zn was highest in Baccharis amdatensis (>1,900 μg/g) and in Rumex crispus (1,300 μg/g) from the Ag mine in Ecuador." ^{[Bech et al.,2014]}
  • Phytoremediation of toxic elements from wetlands; R.crispus - Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn. - Cardwell et al. (2002) ^{[Hasegawa ERTMCS]}
  • "Than proved to be quite successful in phytochemistry. In 1859, for example, he was able to show that the yellow crystalline substance rumicin, extracted from the roots of yellow dock (Rumex crispus), is chrysophanic acid." ^{[Kinghorn PCNP100]}

• R. obtusifolius
  • hydroxyanthraquinoid (HAQN) pigments; aloe-emodin; chrysophanol; emodin ^{[Y.Caro et al.]}

Phytochemistry of other Rumex Sp.

• "...three knownnCro-diterpenoid alkaloids acorientine, orientinine, and panicudine were identified from the epigeal parts of Rumex pictus (Polygonaceae) by the Egyptian scientist Salama (263) in 1997." ^{[TheAlkChem&Bio59]}
• "Anthraquinones are common, polyketide-derived pigments in lichens, and they also occur in nonsymbiotic fungi and higher plants (e.g. Rumex spp.)" ^[LichBio2]
• "Elzaawely et al. (2006) reported that Rumex janonicus Houtt., a perennial herb widely distributed in the subtropics, produces diethyl phthalate. " ^[Xuan,2006]
• R. tuberosus; "Vitamin C, tannins, anthraquinones". ^{[Ozturk PPT]}
• R. vesicarius; "The anthraquinones emodin and crysophanol have been found in the roots and seeds (Rai and Thakar, 1970), while the aerial portion of the plant contains 10-C-glucopyranosyl-l,8-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (Masood et al., 1982). Amino acids present in the proteins of the plant include cystine, glutamic acid, histidine, phenylalanine, and proline (Tiwari and Rathore, 1977)." ^{[Middleditch KP]}

Uses of Various Rumex Sp

• R. aquaticus
  • Food Use: "Food, but oxalate poisoning is a remote possibility (PH2). Eaten as a vegetable." ^{[HMH Duke]}
  • Activities: "Alterative (f; EFS; PNC); Analgesic (f; DEM); Antiaggregant (f; EFS); Antiscrofulous (f; EFS); Antiscorbutic (f; EFS); Astringent (f; CEB); Decongestant (f; EFS); Dentifrice (f; PH2); Deobstruent (f; EFS; PNC); Depurative (f; PH2); Detergent (f; EFS); Diaphoretic (f; CEB); Digestive (f; EFS; PH2); Laxative (f; DEM); Tonic (f; CEB)." "Dosages (Water Dock) — 4–8 ml liquid root extract (PNC)." ^{[HMH Duke]}
• R. hastatus;
  • Dye: "Dye yielding plants capable of growing on contaminated soils". The roots are used to obtain a yellow-green colour.
• R. hymenosepalus - Canaigre
  • Activities: "Anthelminthic (1; FNF); Antibacterial (1; FNF); Anti-HIV (1; FNF); Antiinflammatory (1; FNF); Antimutagenic (1; FNF); Antioxidant (1; FNF); Antispasmodic (1; FNF); Antitumor (1; CRC; HHB); Antiviral (1; FNF)." ^{[HMH Duke]}
  • Indications: "...Cancer (1; CRC; FNF; HHB; JLH); Cancer, skin (1; FNF; JLH);..." ^{[HMH Duke]}
• R. nepalensis;
  • Dye: "Dye yielding plants capable of growing on contaminated soils". The roots are used to obtain a yellow-green colour.
• R. obtrisfolia "Jermyn and Yeow (1975) reported the presence of ß-lectins...in Rumex obtrisfolia." ^{[Liener Lectins]}
• R. orbiculatus Gray (R. britannica Amer. auct.non L.) [Great water-dock.]
  • Root:
    • Tonic/Consumption: "This large root does not occur right here, but the Hocak can get it at the grist mill at Necedah or at Kilbourn. It is one of their greatest medicines, a great tonic and for consumption." ^{[HuronSmith Winnebago]}
    • Dye: "This is another fine red dye and somewhat a tanning agent at the same time. This large root.... is a fine red dye. They say it is their best."^{[HuronSmith Winnebago]}
• R. Patientia - Patience Dock ("...quite common in the East and extends as far west as Kansas.")^[EWP]
  • Food: "This plant has long been cultivated in Europe for early greens. It is sometimes cultivated for that purpose in this country but seldom gets to the markets. It is considered a good potherb." ^[EWP]
• R. pictus
  • Food/Fodder: "The plant is consumed by the Bedouin, and many animals graze on it in Kuwait." ^{[Middleditch KP]}
• R. persicarioides
  • Food Use:
    • Leaves and root are edible. ^{[Hemenway GG]}
• R. sanguineus;
  • Contains flavonoids. ^{[Kuiper Plantago]}
• R. scutatus - Acedera
  • Food:
    • Leaves: "Tender leaves consumed, and sold in the market of Zaragoza". ^{[Heinrich LMFPN]} "French sorrel or buckler-leaved sorrel (R. scutatus) has smaller leaves and a very sharp flavor." ^{[NAH Orr]}
• R. vesicarius - Bladder Dock
  • Activities: "Analgesic (f; KAB); Anipyretic (f; KAB); Aperient (f; KAB); Astringent (f; KAB); Diuretic (f; KAB); Laxative (f; KAB); Orexigenic (f; KAB); Stomachic (f; KAB); Tonic (f; KAB)."
  • Food Use: "The smooth leaves have been employed as a substitute for sorrel. They are cooked and eaten by the Bedouin. The essential oil is employed throughout the Middle East for flavoring foods." ^{[Middleditch KP]}
  • Traditional Medicine; "Juice used to diminish pain of toothache, check nausea, promote the appetite, and improve digestion. Roasted seeds are an antidote to scorpion stings." ^{[Middleditch KP]}

Cultivation

"After a full season or two of growth, the roots will be ready for harvest. Yellowdock is a perennial, so you can wait longer if you wish— the roots will get bigger. Since they can branch considerably under the soil, consider using a digging fork or a small shovel to help. The best time to do this is after the whole plant has turned a rusty brown: this both ensures that the root is completely mature and that there will be a good amount of seed to scatter after harvest." ^{[Mase WMS]}

• Rumex; "Dry soil also impairs the leaf flavor, so keep the plants well watered. In the fall, feed around established plants with well-rotted manure. Feed container plants regularly throughout the growing season with liquid comfrey.... If plants become invasive, add lime to the soil to discourage growth." ^{[mcvicar GH]}
• R. acetosella; "Succeeds in most soils[37], preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Although a plant of acid soils, it can tolerate some alkalinity[17]. A good food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[24, 30], it grows well in the summer meadow[24]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required." ^[PFAF]
  • Dynamic Accumulator: Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), and phosphorus (P). ^{[Dynamic Accumulators]}
• R. crispus; "Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. The plant does not need any help in growing, it is doing very nicely in Britain where it is a serious weed of agriculture. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[30]." ^[PFAF]
  • Compost: "An alternative ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator[32]. (is it the flowers?) This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K]." ^[PFAF]
• R. obtusifolius; "Requires a good soil[4]. Plants are occasionally cultivated for their edible leaves[61]. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[30]. This species is an alternative host of the turnip fly[4]." ^[PFAF]
  • Dynamic Accumulator: Potassium(K), Calcium(Ca), and phosphorus (P) and Iron (Fe). ^{[Dynamic Accumulators]}
• R. occidentalis; "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[200]. Plants were seen growing well in a sunny well-drained bed at Kew in 1989" [K]. ^[PFAF]

Propagation

"Sorrel. (Rumex acetosa, perennial) Save seeds from the plants that go to seed late. Since flavor is better before seed stalk formation, you don’t want to develop an early-seeding strain. Sorrel will cross-pollinated. Cut off the stalk when the flaky seeds are dry, and rub them off." ^{[NSSH Bubel]}

• R. acetosella; "Seed - sow autumn or spring in situ. Division in spring." ^[PFAF]
• R. crispus; Non-mycorrhizal ^{[Lichtfouse SAR4]} "Seed - this plant does not require any help in its propagation." ^[PFAF]
• R. obtusifolius; "Seed - sow spring in situ. Division in spring." ^[PFAF]
• R. occidentalis; "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." ^[PFAF]

References

• Ager,1980 - Ethnobotany of the Eskimos of Nelson Island, Alaska, Thomas A. Ager and Lynn Price Ager, Arctic Anthropology, Vol. 17, No. 1 (1980), pp. 26-48
• [Bech et al.,2014] - Remediation of Potentially Toxic Elements in Contaminated Soils, Jaume Bech, Maria Manuela Abreu, Hyo-Taek Chon, and Nu ´ria Roca, C. Bini and J. Bech (eds.), PHEs, Environment and Human Health
• E-flora
  • [1]Rumex acetosa, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rumex%20acetosa&redblue=Both&lifeform=7 Accessed Dec 11, 2016
  • [2]Rumex acetosella, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rumex acetosella&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, [Accessed: 11/29/2014 7:58:54 PM ]
  • [3]Rumex aquaticus, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rumex aquaticus&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, [Accessed: 11/29/2014 9:00:57 PM]
  • [4]Rumex britannica, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rumex%20britannica&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed Dec 12, 2016
  • [5]''Rumex conglomeratus,
  • Rumex crispus, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rumex crispus&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, [Accessed: 11/29/2014 8:46:35 PM]
  • Rumex obtusifolius, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rumex obtusifolius&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, [Accessed: 11/29/2014 8:55:22 PM]
  • Rumex occidentalis, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rumex aquaticus&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, [Accessed: 11/29/2014 9:00:57 PM]
  • Rumex transitorius, http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rumex transitorius&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, [Accessed: 11/29/2014 9:12:10 PM ]
• Jepson - Scott Simono 2016. Rumex, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=8801, accessed on December 12, 2016.
• Lans et al., 2006 - Ethnoveterinary medicines used for horses in Trinidad and in British Columbia, Canada, Cheryl Lans, Nancy Turner, Gerhard Brauer, Grant Lourenco and Karla Georges, Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2006, 2:31, http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/2/1/31
• Lee&Rhee,2013 - Antimalarial activity of nepodin isolated from Rumex crispus, Keyong Ho Lee and Ki-Hyeong Rhee, Archives of Pharmacal Research, The Pharmaceutical Society of Korea 2013, 10.1007/s12272-013-0055-0
• Paoletti 1995 - Pistic, traditional food from Western Friuli N.E. Italy, Maurizio G. Paoletti, A. L. Dredon, and G.G. Lorenzoni, Economic Botany 49(1) pp. 26-30. 1995
• PFAF - Plants For A Future, www.pfaf.org
  • Rumex acetosella, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+acetosella Accessed March 22, 2015
  • Rumex aquaticus (as Syn), http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+occidentalis Accessed March 21, 2015
  • Rumex crispus, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+crispus Accessed March 22, 2015
  • Rumex obtusifolius, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+obtusifolius Accessed March 22, 2015
  • Rumex occidentalis, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+occidentalis Accessed March 21, 2015
• [Reeves] HYPERACCUMULATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS BY PLANTS, R. D. REEVES, Phytochemical Consultant, J.-L. Morel et al. (eds.), Phytoremediation of Metal-Contaminated Soils, 25–52, New Zealand
• [TheAlkChem&Bio59] The Alkaloids: Chemistrv and Biology, Volume 59
• [Wiese] Chemical Composition of Rumex crispus L. Seed, B. Wiesea, O.E. Quiroga, M.S. Vigo and S.M. Nolasco, JAOCS, Vol. 72, no. 9 (1995)
• Xuan,2006 - Identification of Phytotoxic Substances from Early Growth of Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa crusgalli) Root Exudates, Tran Dang Xuan & III Min Chung & Tran Dang Khanh & Shinkichi Tawata, J Chem Ecol (2006) 32: 895–906
• Y.Caro et al. - Natural hydroxyanthraquinoid pigments as potent food grade colorants: an overview, Yanis CARO, Linda ANAMALE, Mireille FOUILLAUD, Philippe LAURENT, Thomas PETIT, and Laurent DUFOSSE, Nat. Prod. Bioprospect. 2012, 2, 174–193

Notes

• The entry for R. crispus, contains the following; "Production: Yellow Dock root is the fresh root harvested in spring from Rumex acetosa". In this instance, the common name Yellow Dock is given to both R. crispus and R, acetosa, under the heading of R. crispus. R. acetosa is given the common name Sorrel and has an entry in which it says "Production: Sorrel is the aerial part of Rumex acetosa." My version of PDR for Herbal Medicines contains a lot of errors. In this case I have chosen to include information on R.cripus, assuming the text should read 'Yellow Dock root is the fresh root harvested in spring from Rumex crispus'. There may also be a negligible distinction to be made between the two species, given the similar uses of different species and among different cultures.