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Rumex hydrolapathum - Huds.

Common Name Great Water Dock
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
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].
Habitats Near ponds and streams, also in shallow water, avoiding acid conditions[17].
Range Western Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, Italy and S. Russia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Rumex hydrolapathum Great Water Dock


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rumex_hydrolapathum_Sturm53.jpg
Rumex hydrolapathum Great Water Dock

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Rumex hydrolapathum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - cooked[2, 105, 183]. Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder and used as a flour[102]. The seed is small and rather fiddly to harvest.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiscorbutic  Astringent  Ophthalmic

The root is antiscorbutic and strongly astringent[4]. It is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[4]. The green leaves are said to be an excellent application for ulcers of the eyes[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Tannin  Teeth

The roots contain tannin. In cultivated plants, those grown on dry land contained 6 - 8% tannin whilst those grown in water contained 12.4 - 21.6%[223]. The dried and powdered root makes a good tooth cleaner[4]. 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].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist or wet soil, also succeeding in shallow water. Avoids acid conditions in the wild. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[30].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Rumex abyssinicusSpinach RhubarbPerennial3.0 -  LMHSNM101
Rumex acetosaSorrel, Garden sorrelPerennial0.6 3-7  LMHSNM534
Rumex acetosellaSheeps Sorrel, Common sheep sorrelPerennial0.3 4-8 FLMHSNM431
Rumex alpinusAlpine Dock, Munk's rhubarbPerennial1.2 4-8 MLMHSNM421
Rumex angiocarpusCommon sheep sorrelPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNM101
Rumex aquaticusRed Dock, Western dockPerennial1.8 0-0  LMHSNWeWa131
Rumex arcticusArctic DockPerennial0.0 -  LMHSNWe211
Rumex arifoliusMaiden SorrelPerennial1.2 -  LMHSNM101
Rumex berlandieriamamastlaPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNM101
Rumex browniiSwamp DockPerennial0.6 -  LMHSNM201
Rumex bucephalophorusred dockAnnual/Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNDM101
Rumex conglomeratusSharp Dock, Clustered dockPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHSNM121
Rumex crispusCurled Dock, Curly dockPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSNM232
Rumex daiwoosour dockPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNMWe121
Rumex dentatustoothed dockAnnual/Biennial0.6 -  LMHSNM111
Rumex gmelinii Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNMWe101
Rumex graminifoliusGrassleaf sorrelPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHSNM101
Rumex hastatus Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNDM221
Rumex hymenosepalusCanaigre, Canaigre dockPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHSNM221
Rumex japonicus Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rumex longifoliusdooryard dockPerennial1.2 -  LMHSNM111
Rumex maritimusGolden DockAnnual0.5 -  LMHSNMWe121
Rumex mexicanusMexican DockPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM121
Rumex nepalensis Perennial1.2 -  LMHSNM121
Rumex obtusifoliusRound-Leaved Dock, Bitter dockPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM123
Rumex occidentalisWestern DockPerennial1.8 -  LMHSNM111
Rumex patientiaHerb PatiencePerennial1.5 5-10  LMHSNM311
Rumex paucifoliusFewleaved Dock, Alpine sheep sorrelPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNMWe101
Rumex pulcherFiddle DockPerennial0.5 -  LMHSNDM101
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Huds.

Botanical References

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Links / References

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Readers comment

Julian Dowding   Sun May 21 2006

Great and stately plant. As a foodplant for the Large Copper butterfly which is on the verge of extinction.Habitat management for this butterfly neceearily involves ensuring the survival of this plant.

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Subject : Rumex hydrolapathum  
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