Rumex maritimus

Golden dock

Polygonaceae Edible: Leaves, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 2,831 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Rumex maritimus, commonly called golden dock, bristle dock, or seashore dock, is an annual plant species of the genus Rumex. Rumex D maritimus grows in Argentina, Burma, Canada, China, and the United States. It is native to Canada and most of the 48 states. The life span of Rumex maritimus is rarely biennial in moist environments. This herb belongs to the family Polygonaceae.

Description

An erect herb. It has a rootstock that lasts from year to year. It grows 25-70 cm tall. The leaves are narrowly oval and heart shaped at the base. The lower leaves have long stalks and upper leaves are small and have short stalks. The flowers are in rings. The fruit are small brown nutlets.

Edible Uses

Leaves are edible when cooked. Seed is cooked and can be ground into a powder, mixed with water, and cooked like porridge.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten cooked as a vegetable. They are usually mixed with other leaves. They are used in curries.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are applied externally to burns. The seeds are aphrodisiac and contain about 5% tannin. The plant is considered cooling, and an infusion is used to treat bloat.

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 usually grows in marshy places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Asia, Bangladesh, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Russia, SE Asia, Siberia, South America, Taiwan, USA,

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. Plants are likely to require a moist to wet soil. Closely related to R. palustris.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in situ.

Other Uses

No dye data specific to this species has been recorded, but roots of many plants in this genus yield dark green to brown and dark grey dyes without the need for a mordant.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets.

Notes

There are about 200 Rumex species.

Synonyms

Rumex garipensis Meissn.

Also Known As

Ban palang, Bijband, Bon palong, Bon suka sak, Bun-palang, Jangali palak, Jangli palak, Jub-palum, Jungli palak, Kali hulli, Khattikan, Maitha sikhia, Okung, Talbarua, Torong khongchak

References (17)

Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 534
BARC, 2016, State of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.
Chowdhury, M. & Mukherjee, R., 2012, Wild Edible Plants Consumed by Local Communities of Maldah of West Bengal, India. Indian J.Sci.Res.3(2) : 163-170
Deka, N. & Devi, N., 2015, Wild edible aquatic and marshland angiosperms of Baka district, BTC area, Assam, India. Asian J. Plant Sci. Res. 5(1):32-48
Devi, O.S., P. Komor & D. Das, 2010, A checklist of traditional edible bio-resources from Ima markets of Imphal Valley, Manipur, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 2(11): 1291-1296

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