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Rumex

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ROO-meks
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Rumex is the genus for about 200 species of docks and sorrels, which are annual, biennial, and perennial herbs in the buckwheat (Polygonaceae) family. Members of this family are very common with a native almost worldwide distribution. This family is sometimes called dock weed and some members are grown for their edible leaves. Species of this genus also act as host plants for various butterfly types. 

Rumex tends to be erect, weedy, with long tap roots and with leaves that are mainly basal, alternate, and simple. Rumex flowers tend to be small, red or green in color, and carried in terminal, branched clusters. The fruit of the plant is reddish brown. The plant can be used for flavoring of soups, butters, or omelets; however, be cautious when cooking parts of this plant, especially large quantities of leaves, which if not cooked properly, can cause nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and headache. Also, only collect plants for cooking from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. The plants are typically found in disturbed areas in pastures, fields, and roadsides.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

Some members of this family are nuisance weeds and are listed as weedy or invasive by 46 states.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#edible plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#weed#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#edible plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#weed#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rumex
    Family:
    Polygonaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Distribution:
    Throughout
    Wildlife Value:
    butterfly host
    Edibility:
    Leaves for flavoring, flowers, and seeds.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is a reddish brown, 3-angled achene, often with a round tubercle on one or all three sides.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Description:
    Flowers small, in terminal, branched clusters, red or green. Flowers are carried above the leaves in clusters.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves form a basal rosette at the root , which differs from the leaves near the flowers. They may or may not have stipules. Minor leaf veins occur.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Erect, ascending, or prostrate, glabrous or papillose-pubescent.
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Ingesting leaves in large quantities and if not cooked properly can cause nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, headache. Kidney failure (rare in dogs/cats), tremors, salivation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Soluble calcium oxalates
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves