Polygonaceae FAMILY

Rumex obtusifolius

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & 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[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ].

Botanical Description

Rumex obtusifolius is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a large, vertical rootstock up to 15mm in diameter ; the erect stems can grow around 60 - 120cm tall, occasionally to 150cm[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. , 365 Title Flora of New South Wales Publication Author Website http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/floraonline.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line resource giving a brief botanical description of all the native plants of New South Wales, their habitat and range, together with diagrams and photographs of the plants. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It has at times been grown for local use as an edible leaf. Rumex obtusifolius is widespread as a weed, having been carried by human activity far beyond its native range.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeEurasia - from the Atlantic coast to western Siberia, the Caucasus and Iran. N. Africa - Algeria

HabitatWaste ground, hedgerows and field margins[ 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. ]. A common weed of cultivated land on acid or calcareous soils[ 12 Title Britain's Wild Larder. Publication Author Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Publisher David & Charles; Newton Abbot. Year ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 Description A handy pocket guide. ]. Waste places, roadsides, fields, shores, meadows, wet woods, swamps; at elevations up to 2,300 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].