Rumex longifolius -

Family:	Polygonaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.2
Synonyms:	R. aquaticus. non L. R. domesticus.
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to the Pyrenees, Caucasus and C. Asia.

Rumex longifolius () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.2m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Rumex longifolius will flower in December to January. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Rumex longifolius 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
Rumex longifolius prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Rumex longifolius can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

By rivers, in ditches and in damp grassy places[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Suits a meadow
• 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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
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].

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

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The whole plant, but especially the root, is alterative, astringent, cholagogue, deobstruent, stomachic and tonic[4, 21].

• 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.
• Cholagogue - Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.
• Deobstruent - Clears obstructions from the natural ducts of the body.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

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

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 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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