Sharp Dock, Clustered dock

Rumex conglomeratus

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Basic Information

Family: Polygonaceae

Genus: rumex

Plant ID (slug): rumex-conglomeratus

Numeric ID: 25702

USDA Hardiness: Coming soon

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Rumex conglomeratus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, W. Asia.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[177]. Eaten as greens[257]. Very bitter, especially as the leaves grow older[K]. Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder and added to flours when making bread, biscuits etc[102]. The seed is small and fiddly to harvest.

Medicinal Uses

Antiscorbutic Astringent Skin The root is antiscorbutic and astringent[4]. An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of scurvy and as a general blood cleanser. This infusion is also useful in the treatment of bleeding[4]. Externally it is made into an ointment and applied to cutaneous eruptions[4, 257]. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[4]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of several skin diseases[4].

Known Hazards

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].