Arctic dock
Rumex aquaticus subsp. arcticus

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are erect. It grows 1.5 m high. The leaves on the stem are alternate and narrow. The leaves are smooth and green. They edges can be wavy. They are 30 cm long. They are green but turn red in autumn. The flowering stem is reddish at the base. The flowers are small and green. The fruit are red capsules.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in wet places around lakes and marshes. They grow in moist tundra in Alaska.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Arctic, Canada, North America, Russia, USA

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten fresh as salad greens. The young leaves are boiled and eaten. They can be boiled and eaten with seal oil. These can then be reserved for months. They are also fermented.

It is an important food in Alaska.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aatunaq, Ahlooieguk, Ahlooieruk, Arctic sourdock, Civassaq, Naunrayagaq, Ngerngaq, Qagciq, Quagciq, Quunarliq

Synonyms

Rumex aquaticus subsp. insularis Tolm; Rumex arcticus Trautv.; Rumex arcticus var. kamtschadalus (Kom.) Rech. f.; Rumex domesticus var. nanus Hook.; Rumex kamtschadalus Kom.; Rumex longifolius var. nanus (Hook.) Meisn.; Rumex ursinus Maximova;