Rumex dentatus
L.
Indian Sorrel, Toothed Dock
(c) 2009 Zoya Akulova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) 傻子, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 傻子
(c) 2009 Zoya Akulova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
Tender young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows between 1200-1400 m altitude. It grows in moist, neglected ground.
Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Britain, Central Asia, China, Egypt, Europe, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Middle East, Nepal, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, Tajikistan,
How to Identify
An erect annual herb. It grows to about 70 cm high. The lower leaves are stalked. They are 3-20 cm long by 0.6-5 cm wide. They are oblong and rounded or heart shaped at the base. The upper leaves are smaller. The flowers are greenish yellow. The occur in distinct leafy rings in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a nut. It is 3 sided.
Nutrition Score: 54/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 89.4 | 124 | 30 | 3.2 | 11700 | 115 | 3.4 | — |
How to Grow
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 usually annual, but, rarely, they can be biennial. This is an extremely variable species represented in N. Africa, Asia, and Europe by several quite distinct races, recognized taxonomically mostly as subspecies. It is closely related to R. pulcher.
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.
Medicinal Uses
The root is used as an astringent application in the treatment of cutaneous disorders.
Other Uses
Although no specific mention has been made for this species, dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of many species in this genus without the need for a mordant.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Rumex dentatus is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by the common names toothed dock and Aegean dock. It is native to parts of Eurasia and North Africa, and it is widely known elsewhere as an introduced species. It grows in disturbed habitat, often in moist areas, such as lakeshores and the edges of cultivated fields. It is an annual or biennial herb producing a slender, erect stem up to 70 or 80 centimeters in maximum height. The leaves are lance-shaped to oval with slightly wavy edges, growing to a maximum length around 12 centimeters. The inflorescence is an interrupted series of clusters of flowers, with 10 to 20 flowers per cluster and each flower hanging on a pedicel. Each flower has usually six tepals, the 3 inner of which are edged with spinelike teeth and have tubercles at their centers. This plant has allelopathic activity.
Other Information
The young leaves are especially eaten by children. It is sold in local markets.
Notes
There are about 200 Rumex species.
Names & Synonyms
Ambavah, Amrule, Babal, Ban palungo, Bon palong, Holo, Hububal, Hullah, Hulow, Jangli palak, Jungli palak, Khatkal, Kukur jibwa, Lal bibi, Milu, Ola, Palki mausi, Sarkari palak, Shalkhay, Shulkhay, Tandalak, Tissa palak, Ubobal, Zamda
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