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Sour Dock Rumex hastatulus

Phonetic Spelling
ROO-meks hass-TAY-tuh-liss
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 an almost worldwide distribution. Some members of this family are nuisance weeds, sometimes called dock weed, but some are grown for their edible leaves. Species of this genus also act as host plants for various butterfly types.

Rumex hastatulus, or Heartwing Sorrel, is an annual or short-lived perennial herb-like plant, erect, weedy, with leaves that are mainly basal, alternate, and simple. Flowers tend to be small, red in color, and carried in terminal, branched clusters. The fruit of the plant is reddish brown.

Leaves, flowers, and seeds of this plant are edible. However, if large quantities of leaves are not cooked properly, they can cause stomach cramps and nausea when ingested. 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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#weed#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#weed#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rumex
    Species:
    hastatulus
    Family:
    Polygonaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Eastern United States
    Distribution:
    throughout
    Edibility:
    Edible, but leaves are low-level toxic when eaten in large quantities.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Small, hard, seed-like 3-sided to lens-shaped fruit.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Small flowers in a radially symmetrical raceme or spike-like cluster; 3 to 6 petal-like sepals; 3 to 9 stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves often form a membranous sheath around the stem above the node.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Large quantities of leaves, if not cooked properly and then ingested, can cause nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and headaches. Kidney failure (rare in dogs/cats), tremors, salivation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Soluble calcium oxalates
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves