dooryard dock

Rumex longifolius

Physical Characteristics

Rumex longifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from June to July. 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 and prefers well-drained soil. 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 the Pyrenees, Caucasus and C. Asia.

Habitats

Meadow; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[105]. Harvested as they appear through the ground, they are eaten as a vegetable for their antiscorbutic action[2]. Seed - ground into a powder and used in gruel or added to cereal flours when making bread etc[102, 105].

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Astringent Cholagogue Deobstruent Stomachic Tonic The whole plant, but especially the root, is alterative, astringent, cholagogue, deobstruent, stomachic and tonic[4, 21].

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].