Rumex mexicanus - Mexican Dock

Family:	Polygonaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:	R. salicifolius mexicanus. (Meisn.)C.L.Hitchc.
Range:	Western N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to Maine, Texas and Mexico.

Rumex mexicanus (Mexican Dock) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 0and is vunerable to frost.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Mexican 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
Mexican Dock prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Rich soils, occasionally brackish[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Plants succeed outdoors at Cambridge Botanical gardens and are growing well in Cornwall[K].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves - cooked[46, 61, 105, 161]. Used as greens[257]. Seed - cooked or ground into a powder and used for making gruel or added to cereal flours and used for making bread[105, 161]. The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest.

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

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
An infusion of the leaves has been taken by childless women to help them become pregnant[257]. A strong infusion of the root has been used to help a woman become pregnant[257]. The infusion was taken four times a day (upon rising, at midday, at sunset and upon going to bed) for a month[257]. An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of sore throats[257]. A decoction of the white root has been used to regulate the menstrual cycle[257]. There is a suggestion that it was used to facilitate an abortion. A decoction of the red root has been used to treat fevers[257]. A poultice of the crushed root has been used to treat burns[257]. A decoction of the plant has been used to treat intestinal disorders and liver complaints[257]. A decoction of the plant has been used externally to treat swellings and painful joints[257].

• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Hepatic - Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).
• Infertility - Used in treating problems of human fertility.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.

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

The dried, crushed roots have been used as a tinder[257]. 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.
• Tinder - Used for starting fires. See also Kindling.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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