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Rumex venosus - Pursh.

Common Name Sour Greens, Veiny dock
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
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 Sandy soils[43].
Range North-western N. America - Wisconsin to Montana.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rumex venosus Sour Greens, Veiny dock


Margaret Williams @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Rumex venosus Sour Greens, Veiny dock
Margaret Williams @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Rumex venosus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August. 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  Stem
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - cooked[105, 161, 177]. Used as greens. Young stems - cooked[105, 161, 177]. Used like rhubarb[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  Birthing aid  Blood purifier  Kidney  Poultice  Salve  Tonic  Vulnerary


The root is astringent, blood purifier and tonic[257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea, coughs and colds, influenza, pneumonia, stomach aches, kidney disorders, gall bladder problems, venereal disease and rheumatism[257]. An infusion has been given to women to help them expel the afterbirth[257]. The root can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a dressing on burns, wounds, sores etc[207, 257]. A poultice can also be made from the fresh root for use on burns, wounds, sores, swellings etc[207, 257]. An infusion of the stems and leaves has been used as a wash on sores[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the root[207]. The roots are peeled, broken into sections about 25mm long, then spread out thinly in a sunny position until very dry. They are then soaked in water for a few days before being boiled in the same water for a long time. Alum is then added to fix the colour[257]. A red dye is obtained if ashes are added and it turns black if the bark of Cornus stolonifera is also added[207].

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].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Saskatchewan, Alberta (south), Manitoba (south)), United States (Iowa, Kansas (w.?), Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico (northeast), Texas, Arizona, California (Lassen Co.), Nevada, Utah)

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 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 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

Pursh.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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