Rumex nepalensis

Sprengel

Nepal dock, Field sorrel

PolygonaceaeLeavesRootsPotential hazards — see below

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(c) Rajendra Koranga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Rajendra Koranga

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(c) יאיר אור, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by יאיר אור

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves, Vegetable, Roots

Tender young leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. The root has been used as a rhubarb substitute, though it is unclear whether this refers to medicinal or culinary use.

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

A tropical and subtropical plant. In Nepal they grow up to about 3300 m altitude. It grows in open, moist places. It grows between 1500-4000 m altitude in Uttar Pradesh in India.

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Asia, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central Asia, China, Congo, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, Rwanda, SE Asia, Sikkim, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Countries: Andorra, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Angola, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Bulgaria, Bahrain, Burundi, Benin, Brunei, Bhutan, Botswana, Belarus, Congo (DRC), Central African Republic, Congo (Republic), Switzerland, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, China, Cape Verde, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Djibouti, Denmark, Algeria, Estonia, Egypt, Eritrea, Spain, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, United Kingdom, Georgia, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Croatia, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Iceland, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Comoros, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Liberia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Libya, Morocco, Monaco, Moldova, Montenegro, Madagascar, North Macedonia, Mali, Myanmar, Mongolia, Mauritania, Malta, Mauritius, Maldives, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Netherlands, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sudan, Sweden, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sierra Leone, San Marino, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sao Tome & Principe, Syria, Eswatini, Chad, Togo, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Taiwan, Tanzania, Ukraine, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How to Identify

A herb which grows 0.6-2 m tall. It keeps growing from year to year. It has a stout rootstock. The leaves have stalks. They are 3.5-14 cm long by 1-9 cm wide. The lower leaves have long stalks but the upper leaves do not have stalks. They are oval. The flowers are of both sexes. They are reddish and occur in long rings. The fruit is a brown nut. The flower has sepals which are hooked. These stay ringed around the fruit.

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 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.

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 root is purgative and is used as a substitute for rhubarb (Rheum spp.). A strong decoction of the root is applied to dislocated bones, and a paste of the root is applied to swollen gums. The leaves are used to treat colic, and their juice is applied externally to relieve headaches. A decoction of the plant is used as a body wash to alleviate general body pain.

Other Uses

The root contains 5–13% tannin. 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.

Wikipedia

A perennial reaching 1.2 m (4ft) with hermaphroditic flowers blooming May to June and seeds ripening July to August. Wind-pollinated. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to basic pH. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.

Other Information

A minor vegetable of local importance.

Notes

There are about 200 Rumex species.

Names & Synonyms

Alvi, Amlya, Bhasya, Duongde Nepal, Girshut, Hale, Halhalesag, Halhaley, Hali, Halya, Jiong xiong, Kandyem-dung, Kholya, Khoya, Kikushi, Kilmoru, Kulii, Lung-sho, Malora, O-chos-thamh, Olmi, Olvi, Pahari palang, Palak, Sheep sorrel, Shomang, Somang, Syomakpa, Torong-khongchak, Urval, Yalak ao, Ye ke ya ma, Yellow doek

Rumex bequaertii De Wild.Rumex bequaertii var. quarrei (De Wild.) RobynsRumex quarrei De Wild.Rumex steudelii Hochst. ex A. Rich.

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