Sharp Dock, Clustered dock
Rumex conglomeratus

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

Rumex conglomeratus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Damp grassy places, sometimes also found in woods.

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

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.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 2

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.

Antiscorbutic: A plant rich in vitamin C that is used to counteract scurvy.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating: 1

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.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

How it is grown

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. This species is often confused with R. sanguineus.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ. Division in spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

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.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

R. acutus. R. glomeratus.