Rumex brownii - Swamp Dock

Family:	Polygonaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:
Range:	Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria. Casual in Britain[17].

Rumex brownii (Swamp Dock) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Swamp Dock will flower in March to May. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Swamp Dock will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important 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
Swamp Dock prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Moist places such as the banks of creeks, often in clay soils, in the montane and sub-alpine zones[154]. Often found as a weed of damp lawns and pastures in Australia[193].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• Planted in the lawn
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

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]. This species is sometimes introduced into Britain via bales of wool from Australia and it then persists for a few years[17].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - cooked[144]. The leaves can be up to 30cm long and, cooked with their midrib removed, they make a fine substitute for leaf beet[193]. The roasted root is a coffee substitute[193]

• Coffee - the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

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.

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

A rich yellow dye is obtained from the root if it is fixed with alum[193]. 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].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Victoria.
Ewart. A. J.
Author: Ewart. A. J.
Rating:
Publisher : A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
Date of Publication :

Flora of the Sydney Region
Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
Author: Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
Rating:
Publisher : Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.
Date of Publication : 1993

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.