The foliage of mature dock plants may be from one to three feet tall, depending on growing conditions, but in early spring, when it's at its most delicious, the smaller plants may be hard to spot. Rumex obtusifolius on the University of Massachusetts Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program. Although bitter dock seedlings find it difficult to flourish under competitive conditions, fully grown plants are able to endure being trodden over and mowed. Both curly and broad-leaved dock are edible at several stages. Leaves, flowers, and seeds of this plant are edible. The same compound is found in spinach. Bitter dock's central vein of each basal leaf inflorescence is often tinted red, and a reticulated network of fine secondary veins is seen across the upper surface. We are not health professionals, medical doctors, nor are we nutritionists. Basal rosette leaves and leafy stems develop from the crown. Leaves are alternate along the flowering stalks. Rich in vitamin C and minerals and available all year round. The leaf stalks are used in salads. Polygonaceae), without the presence of more than 5 per cent. By late spring or early summer, dock produces tall flower stalks that bear copious amounts of seed, which are also edible. It grows in woodland area, meadow edges and alongside creeks. Ingredients. It is in flower from June to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. It is up to the reader to verify nutritional information and health benefits with qualified professionals for all edible plants listed in this web site. Once the cold temperatures have ended, bitter dock quickly produces new leaves. These plant species have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases and ailments, including hypertension, inflammation, and bacterial infections [11, 12]. This is called the ocrea, and it turns brown as the plant ages. Some wild plants are poisonous or can have serious adverse health effects. Rumex Acetosella is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. If a plant with tasty foliage but tough midribs is found, remove the midrib from the leaf before cooking. Bitter dock is native to many areas or Europe, Asia (including Japan), and Greenland. Rumex species are important edible and medicinal plants used in Armenian traditional medicine. I’ll focus on these, with which I have lived in a number of gardens. Docks are perennial plants growing from taproots, and they are most often found in neglected, disturbed ground like open fields and along roadsides. Because dock has a relatively short harvest season, like so many wild greens, harvest as much as you can when it's at its peak, then blanch and freeze for later use. Bitter dock grows in a variety of areas but tends to prefer shady areas with moist soils. Dock edible parts/uses: The leaves of dock plants are edible. What Are Dandelions? Rumex obtusifolius, Broad-leaf Dock, is common in the Blue Mountains and many other parts of Australia. Look for the tall, dark brown, branched flower stalks that produced the prior year's seed crop. In this 2 part video series Frank Cook discusses the many uses of edible Dock (Rumex spp.) It is in flower from Jun to October, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October. Rumex obtusifolius used to be called butter dock because its large leaves were used to wrap and conserve butter. It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. The plant forms muti-stems that bear the leaves. Phonetic Spelling ROO-meks a-kee-TOE-sell-uh This plant has low severity poison characteristics. Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is relatively high in phosphate and potassium levels in … However, the much wider and less wavy leaves of … Though dock’s large taproots look appetizing, they’re quite bitter. 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