Description
Rumex – Dock – Sorrel –
There are about 200 annuals, biennials, and usually taprooted, sometime rhizomatous perennial herbs, in the buckwheat family in this genus. They in a range of habitats, including mountains, wasteland, cultivated ground, and streamsides in the Northern Hemisphere. Docks have simple, variable shaped, mainly basal leathery, leaves, which occasionally have wavy margins. In summer, the tiny, star shaped, bisexual or unisexual flowers are borne in whorls in usually erect, dense, terminal panicles or racemes. They are followed by small, oval, pointed, brown to red-brown fruit. Some species are invasive weed, a few are grown for their decorative foliage or as herbs. Grow in a herbaceous or mixed border. All parts of docks may cause mild stomach upset if ingested, contact with the foliage may irritate the skin.
Grow in moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun.
Prone to slugs and snails, rust, smut, and leaf spots.
R. alpinus – Mountain Rhubarb – Monk’s Rhubarb – This rhizomatous, creeping perennial from the Mountains of Europe grows to 5′ feet tall and at least 5′ feet wide. From upright, red tinged stems it carries ovate to rounded, wavy, mid green basal leaves, 8-16″ long, hairy on the veins beneath. In summer, bears erect, well branched panicles of tiny, star shaped, green then red-brown flowers, 1/8″ across, followed by dark brown fruit.
Zones 4-7
