Rumex hastatus

D. Don

Nepali sorrel, Heartwing sorrel

PolygonaceaeLeavesPotential hazards — see below

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(c) Chen Shu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chen Shu

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(c) 刘光裕 Liu Guangyu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

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(c) Alok Chirping Orchard, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves

Tender young leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a sour, acid flavour and are used in the same way as sorrel.

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.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. In Nepal they grow between 1000-2600 m altitude. They grow on shady slopes or in dry streambeds. It can grow in cold and arid places. It grows in Sichuan and Yunnan.

Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, NW India, Pakistan, Tibet,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A herb. It has many branches. It grows about 1 m high. It has reddish brown stems. The leaves have stalks. They are 1.3-5 cm long and vary is size. They are flattened and spear head shaped with the leaf blade at right angles to the leaf stalk. They have a central lobe which in narrow and long and fleshy. The flowers are red. They occur in small clusters. The fruit is a nut. It is enclosed by the large ring of outer flower parts.

How to Grow

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 many parts of this country. It is likely to succeed in dry soils. 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.

Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out during summer. Can also be propagated by division in spring.

Medicinal Uses

The plant's juice is astringent and has been used to treat bloody dysentery. The fresh tuber is chewed to relieve throat pain.

Other Uses

The root contains 25–30% tannin. Roots of plants in this genus also yield dark green to brown and dark grey dyes without the need for a mordant, though no dye use has been specifically recorded for this species.

Wikipedia

A perennial herb reaching 1 m in height. Hermaphroditic, wind-pollinated plants flower from April to May with seed ripening May to June. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acidic to basic soil pH. Can establish in semi-shade or full sun and adapts to both dry and moist conditions.

Notes

There are about 200 Rumex species.

Names & Synonyms

Aambi, Aamy, Adimaro, Almoda, Almor, Amlora, Ammi, Charemala, Cheki, Chekow, Chulmora, Ghandal tharokay, Gungaste, Huli, Ilmora, Jhemlu, Kapu, Katambal, Khata-palak, Khati-mithi, Khatti butti, Khattimal, Malori, Raktia bujo, Sho mang, Takely, Tarokay, Tarokew, Tarukay

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