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Rumex sanguineus - L.

Common Name Red-Veined Dock, Redvein dock, Sorrel, Bloody Dock
Family Polygonaceae
USDA hardiness 6-8
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 Waste ground, grassy places and in woods, avoiding acid soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, the Caucasus, and C. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rumex sanguineus Red-Veined Dock, Redvein dock, Sorrel,  Bloody Dock


Rumex sanguineus Red-Veined Dock, Redvein dock, Sorrel,  Bloody Dock
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Red. Main Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Rumex sanguineus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. 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, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay 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

R. condylodes. R. nemerosus.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 200]. A spinach substitute[105, 183]. A fairly mild flavour when young, they make a very acceptable spinach at this time and can also be added in moderation to mixed salads[K]. The leaves soon become bitter with age[K].

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  Skin

The root is astringent[4]. An infusion is useful in the treatment of bleeding[4]. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[4]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of several skin diseases[4].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

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

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Specimen. A very easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Plants usually self-sow freely in the garden[K]. Of some value in the flower border or kitchen garden for its ornamental edible leaves[200]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Edible, Not North American native, Suitable for dried flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

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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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Iran (north), Azerbaijan, Georgia EUROPE: Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway (southwest), Sweden (south), Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica)

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

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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Subject : Rumex sanguineus  
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