Western Dock

Rumex occidentalis

Physical Characteristics

Rumex occidentalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft). It is not frost tender. 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

Western N. America - Alaska to California.

Habitats

Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: 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]. Young stems - cooked[256]. Used like rhubarb[256]. Seed - 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.

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Astringent Poultice The leaves have been used in herbal sweat baths to treat pains similar to rheumatism all over the body[257]. 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].

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].