Fiddle dock, Red dock
Rumex pulcher

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

An erect herb. It grows about 60 cm high. It has stiff spreading branches. The leaves have a soft texture. They are 3-13 cm long by 10-30 mm wide. They are oblong to heart shaped and often with a narrow waste just below the middle. The flowering stalk has angular branches. It droops and forms tangled masses. The fruit have projections which are not hooked.

There are about 200 Rumex species.

Where it is found

It grows in a temperate or Mediterranean climate. It will grow in most soils and positions. It is resistant to frost and drought. It grows in pasture. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Brazil, Britain, Caucasus, Chile, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, East Africa, Europe (country/location of origin), Georgia, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Paraguay, Sicily, South America, Spain, St Helena, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled or fried and used in pies. They are also used raw in salads. They are used for making sauces. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat.

Leaves are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Cama-roja, Carsaf, Efelek, Eksilik, Hanbaza, Kertilce, Ksinolapatho, Lengua de vaca, Labada, Lapatho, Lapaza, Lengua de vaca, Mancar, Mancarotu, Oreja de liebre, Pancarotu, Peixos, Romasa, Romaza, Selk, Stavolj, Stavljak, Yapalak, Yoruk otu

Synonyms

Rumex suffocatus Bertol.;