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Rumex crispus - L.

Common Name Curled Dock, Curly 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]. Avoid during pregnancy & breast feeding.
Habitats Growing almost anywhere[5], it is found especially in grassy places, waste ground, roadsides and near sand dunes and is a serious weed of agriculture[17, 244].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rumex crispus Curled Dock, Curly dock


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rumex_crispus_Sturm52.jpg
Rumex crispus Curled Dock, Curly dock
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Rumex crispus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. 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: 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

Lapathum crispum Garsault [Invalid]. Lapathum crispum (L.) Scop. Rumex elongatus Guss.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee

Leaves - raw or cooked[5, 85, 159]. They can also be dried for later use[12]. The leaves can be added to salads, cooked as a potherb or added to soups[183]. Only the very young leaves should be used, preferably before the stems have developed, and even these are likely to be bitter[12, 95, 257]. If used in early spring and in the autumn they can often be fairly pleasant tasting[85, 159, K]. The leaves are very rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iron and the vitamins A and C[183, 244]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Stems - raw or cooked[257]. They are best peeled and the inner portion eaten[257]. Seed - raw or cooked[172, 257]. It can be used as a piñole or can be ground into a powder and used as a flour for making pancakes etc[85, 102, 183, 257]. The seed is very fiddly to harvest and prepare[62]. The roasted seed has been used as a coffee substitute[207].

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Leaves (Fresh weight)
  • 21 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 92.6%
  • Protein: 1.5g; Fat: 0.3g; Carbohydrate: 4.1g; Fibre: 0.9g; Ash: 1.5g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 74mg; Phosphorus: 56mg; Iron: 5.6mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 1.38mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.06mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.08mg; Niacin: 0.4mg; B6: 0mg; C: 30mg;
  • Reference: [ 218]
  • Notes: The figure for vitamin A is in milligrammes.

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.
Alterative  Antiscorbutic  Astringent  Cancer  Cholagogue  Depurative  Homeopathy  Laxative  
Poultice  Salve  Tonic

Curled dock has a long history of domestic herbal use. It is a gentle and safe laxative, less powerful than rhubarb in its action so it is particularly useful in the treatment of mild constipation[254]. The plant has valuable cleansing properties and is useful for treating a wide range of skin problems[254]. All parts of the plant can be used, though the root is most active medicinally. The root is alterative, antiscorbutic, astringent, cholagogue, depurative, laxative and mildly tonic[4, 21, 46, 94, 165]. It used to be sold as a tonic and laxative[212]. It can cause or relieve diarrhoea according to the dose, harvest time and relative concentrations of tannin(astringent) and anthraquinones (laxative) that are present[222]. It is used internally in the treatment of constipation, diarrhoea, piles, bleeding of the lungs, various blood complaints and also chronic skin diseases[4, 238, 257]. Externally, the root can be mashed and used as a poultice and salve, or dried and used as a dusting powder, on sores, ulcers, wounds and various other skin problems[257]. The root has been used with positive effect to restrain the inroads made by cancer, being used as an alterative and tonic[4]. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[4]. Some caution is advised in its use since excess doses can cause gastric disturbance, nausea and dermatitis[222, 238]. The seed is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[4, 218]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root, harvested in the autumn before frost has touched the plant[232]. It is only used in the treatment of a specific type of cough[232].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Compost  Dye

Yellow, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots. They do not need a mordant[168]. An alternative ingredient of 'QR' herbal compost activator[32]. (is it the flowers?) This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. The plant does not need any help in growing, it is doing very nicely in Britain where it is a serious weed of agriculture. A very important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[30]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is fleshy. Thick or swollen - fibrous or tap root [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - this plant does not require any help in its propagation.

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 :

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Rumex longifoliusdooryard dockPerennial1.2 -  LMHSNM111
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Rumex patientiaHerb PatiencePerennial1.5 5-10  LMHSNM311
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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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Expert comment

Rumex crispus

Administrator .

Mar 19 2011 12:00AM

I mistakenly used this plants root in a recipe thinking it was a relative to Burdock root, and found myself nauseous and eventually throwing up. Do your research foragers, don't be like me!

Author

L.

Botanical References

17

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