Rumex
- Phonetic Spelling
- ROO-meks
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Erect, ascending, or prostrate, glabrous or papillose-pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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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
