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Rumex hymenosepalus - Torr.

Common Name Canaigre, Canaigre dock
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
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 Dry sandy places below 1500 metres in California[71].
Range South-western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rumex hymenosepalus Canaigre, Canaigre dock


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Rumex hymenosepalus Canaigre, Canaigre dock
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Rumex hymenosepalus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Seed  Stem
Edible Uses: Drink

Young leaves - cooked as a pot-herb[2, 46, 61, 105, 161]. They are usually cooked in several changes of water to remove the bitter-tasting tannin[183]. Leaf stems - cooked[95, 105, 161]. Crisp and tart, they are excellent when used in pies like rhubarb[2, 183]. They are often cooked with sugar, or can be baked and the central portion eaten[257]. The stems, harvested before the flowers open, have been boiled to make a drink[257]. Seed - raw or cooked[257]. It can be ground into a powder, cooked with water to the consistency of a thick gravy and eaten as a mush[183, 257]. The powder can also be mixed with water, shaped into cakes and baked[257]. Root[105, 161]. Eaten raw by children in early spring[257].

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.
Astringent  Poultice  Salve

An infusion of the stems and leaves has been used as a wash for sores, ant bites and infected cuts[257]. The roots are astringent[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[257]. An infusion has been used as a gargle to treat coughs and sore mouths and throats[257]. The root has been chewed in the treatment of coughs and colds[257]. The dried, powdered roots have been used as a dusting powder and dressing on burns and sores[257]. A tea made from this plant is used to treat colds[213, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Tannin

The roots are rich in tannin, the dried root containing about 35 - 60%[46, 61, 171]. Wild roots contain more tannin than cultivated roots whilst old roots contain more than young roots[223]. Yellow, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of this plant[46, 61, 168]. They do not need a mordant[168].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

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]. Judging by its native range, this plant should succeed in dry soils[K]. Extensively cultivated for the tannin contained in its root[171].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Oklahoma, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah), Mexico (Baja, Chihuahua)

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 hydrolapathumGreat Water DockPerennial1.8 5-9  LMHSNMWeWa111
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 papillarisAcederaPerennial0.2 6-10 FLMHNDM301
Rumex patientiaHerb PatiencePerennial1.5 5-10  LMHSNM311
Rumex paucifoliusFewleaved Dock, Alpine sheep sorrelPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNMWe101
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Torr.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

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