Rumex brownii

Campdera

Swamp dock, Slender dock

Polygonaceae Edible: Leaves, Root - drink Potential hazards — see below 1,322 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Rumex brownii, the hooked dock, Browne's dock or swamp dock, is a leafy perennial herb native to Australia, and is widespread and grows in disturbed sites. It is an introduced weed in the Pacific Islands, England, Japan, and New Zealand. It is 50–80 cm high with variably shaped basal leaves, oblong or lanceolate, to 12 cm long, and to 4 cm wide with cordate to truncate base. The petiole is about half as long as the lamina. Flower whorls with 3–5 hooked teeth on each side and with a hooked tip. The hooks aid seed dispersal via attaching to animal fur and hair, and also human clothing.

Description

An erect herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a distinct flowering stem. It can grow 1 m high. The leaves near the base are sword shaped and taper to the tip. They are 5-15 cm long and 10-25 mm wide. The upper leaves are smaller and have parallel sides and taper to the tip. The flowers are very small. They are crowded in rings around the stem. These contain 5-16 flowers. The fruit have small hooked projections.

Edible Uses

The leaves, which can grow up to 30cm long, are edible cooked. With the midrib removed before cooking, they make a fine substitute for leaf beet. The roasted root can be used as a coffee substitute.

Traditional Uses

The leaves can be cooked and eaten. The taproot can be ground, roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

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.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in grassland. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Australia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a deep fertile moderately heavy soil that is humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained and a position in full-sun or part shade. This species is sometimes introduced into Britain via bales of wool from Australia and it then persists for a few years.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Prick seedlings out into individual pots once large enough to handle, then plant out in summer. Can also be propagated by division in spring.

Other Uses

A rich yellow dye is obtained from the root when fixed with alum. Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can also be obtained from the roots without the need for a mordant, as is the case with many species in this genus.

Notes

There are about 200 Rumex species.

References (20)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 895
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 128
Curtis, W.M., 1993, The Student's Flora of Tasmania. Part 3 St David's Park Publishing, Tasmania, p 585
Flora of Australia Volume 49, Oceanic Islands 1, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. (1994) p 103
Harris, S., Buchanan, A., Connolly, A., 2001, One Hundred Islands: The Flora of the Outer Furneaux. Tas Govt. p 217

Show all 20 references

Henty, E.E., in Womersley, J.S., (ed), 1978, Handbooks of the Flora of Papua New Guinea. Melbourne University Press,Victoria. Vol 1, p 246
Henty, E.E., 1980, Harmful Plants in Papua New Guinea. Botany Bulletin No 12. Division Botany, Lae, Papua New Guinea. p 120
Hunter, J. T. & Sheringham, P., 2006, Vegetation and Floristics of Melville Range Nature Reserve. A Report to the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service. p 178
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G., 1997, Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. Plant Protection Society of Western Australia. p 200
Hyde-Wyatt, B.H. & Morris D.I., 1975, Tasmanian Weed Handbook. Dept of Ag Tasmania. p 24, 58
Lamp, C & Collet F., 1989, Field Guide to Weeds in Australia. Inkata Press. p 246
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 208
Low, T., 1991, Wild Herbs of Australia and New Zealand. Angus & Robertson. p 39 (Drawing)
Low, T., 1992, Bush Tucker. Australia’s Wild Food Harvest. Angus & Robertson. p 153
Monogr. Rumex 64. 1819
Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 85
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Calatogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 461
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 45
Woolmore, E et al, 2002, King Island Flora: A Field Guide. p 66