Rumex conglomeratus - Sharp Dock

Family:	Polygonaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:	R. acutus. R. glomeratus.
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, W. Asia.

Rumex conglomeratus (Sharp Dock) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 0and is vunerable to frost.
Sharp 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

Sharp 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
Sharp Dock prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Damp grassy places, sometimes also found in woods[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Suits a meadow

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 often confused with R. sanguineus[17].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
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.

• Leaves -
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
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].

• Antiscorbutic - A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Skin - Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring 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].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

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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