Rumex paucifolius

Nutt.

Fewleaved dock, Alpine Sheep Sorrel

Polygonaceae Edible: Leaves, Seeds, Stem Potential hazards — see below 423 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Rumex paucifolius is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by the common name alpine sheep sorrel. It is native to western North America from southwestern Canada to California to Colorado, where it grows in moist areas in mountainous habitat, up to areas of alpine climate. Rumex gracilescens is a variant endemic to Turkey. It was on the IUCN Species Survival Commissions 1997 Red List of Threatened Plants.

Description

Perennial species with dioecious flowers, requiring both male and female plants for seed production. Wind-pollinated and not self-fertile. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, preferring well-drained conditions. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, or basic soils. Adapts to semi-shade or full light and prefers moist to wet soil.

Edible Uses

The leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked. The seeds are also edible raw or cooked, and can be ground into a meal and prepared as a porridge.

Traditional Uses

The leaves and stems are eaten fresh. The ripe seeds are used as food.

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.

Where It Grows

Canada, North America, USA,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

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

Other Uses

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

Notes

There are about 200 Rumex species.

Synonyms

Rumex geyeri (Meisn.) Trel.

References (6)

Anderson, M. K., 2012, Edible Seeds and Grains of California Tribes and the Klamath Tribe of Oregon in the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Museum of Anthropology Collections, University of California, Berkeley. USDA p 15
Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 768
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 498
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Show all 6 references

Turner, N., et al, 2011, "Up on the Mountain": Ethnobotanical Important of Montane Sites in Pacific Coastal North America. Journal of Ethnobiology 31(1): 4-43