Rumex aquaticus - Red Dock

Family:	Polygonaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.8
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain but absent from Italy and the Balkans, to N. Asia.

Rumex aquaticus (Red Dock) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.8m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Red Dock will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Red Dock will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Red Dock prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Red Dock can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Shallow water at the margins of swamps[17]. Fields, meadows and ditches[4].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

A plant of shallow water[17].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Leaves - cooked[105].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The root is alterative, astringent, cholagogue, deobstruent, depurative, detergent, laxative and mildly tonic[238]. 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 piles, bleeding of the lungs, various blood complaints and also chronic skin diseases[4, 238]. Externally, it is applied to various skin diseases, ulcers etc[4]. 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]. Some caution is advised in its use since excess doses can cause gastric disturbance, nausea and dermatitis[222, 238].

• Alterative - Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Deobstruent - Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.
• Detergent - A cleansing agent, used on wounds etc. It removes dead and diseased matter.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. Division in spring.

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].

Other Uses

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]. The dried and powdered root has a cleansing and detergent affect on the teeth[4].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.
• Teeth - Plants used to clean and care for the teeth.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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