Common Name: Sharp Dock

General Information

Rumex conglomeratus is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant with branched stems that can grow around 30 - 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Rumex conglomeratus is a widespread weed in most temperate regions of Australia, having spread from Europe through human activity[].

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[].

Botanical References

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Range

Eurasia - southern Sweden to Britain and Portugal, east to Kazakhstan, western Himalayas and Saudi Arabia; Africa - Morocco to Libya, also S. Africa

Habitat

Damp grassy places, sometimes also found in woods[]. Shores, wet places, bogs, roadsides, and weed -infested places[]. Marshes, wet meadows, shores, alluvial woods, ditches, wet waste places; at places up to 1,500 metres[]

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally succeed in a variety of soils, but they prefer deep fertile moderately heavy soils that are humus-rich, moisture-retentive and also well-drained, with a position in full-sun or part shade[].
This species is often confused with Rumex sanguineus[].
Being wind -pollinated, Rumex species usually hybridize readily, especially with other members of the genus they are more closely related to[]. This species hybridizes in the wild with Rumex hydrolapathum, Rumex aquaticus, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Rumex maritimus and Rumex pulcher[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[]. Eaten as greens[]. Very bitter, especially as the leaves grow older[].
Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder and added to flours when making bread, biscuits etc[]. The seed is small and fiddly to harvest.

Medicinal

The root is antiscorbutic and astringent[]. An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of scurvy and as a general blood cleanser. This infusion is also useful in the treatment of bleeding[]. Externally it is made into an ointment and applied to cutaneous eruptions[, ]. The root is harvested in early spring and dried for later use[].
A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of several skin diseases[].

Other Uses

Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots of many species in this genus, They do not need a mordant[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.
Division in spring.