Common Name: Herb Patience

General Information

Rumex patienta is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a large, vertical rootstock that can be up to 30mm in diameter; it produces a cluster of robust, erect stems that are branched above and can grow around 80 - 150cm tall, occasionally to 200cm[]..
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes cultivated for its edible leaves[].

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

Central to southeast Europe - Czech Republic, Slova.kia, Hungary, Romania and the Balkans to Greece. Naturalized in a few places in Britain[].

Habitat

Waste land in Britain[]. Along ditches, water sides, moist valleys; at elevations from sea level to 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
Formerly cultivated for its edible leaves[, , , ], these can be available from lae winter if the winter is mild[].
An important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[].
Being wind -pollinated, Rumex species usually hybridize readily, especially with other members of the genus they are more closely related to[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. Eaten like spinach or made into a delicious puree, they are often mixed with a quarter part of sorrel in order to add flavour to them[]. A fairly mild flavour[], they make an excellent vegetable[]. The leaves are produced very early in the year[].

Medicinal

The juice, and an infusion of the root, has been used as a poultice and salve in the treatment of various skin problems[].

An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of constipation[].

The leaves have been rubbed in the mouth to treat sore throats[].

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, They do not need a mordant[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring.