Rumex is the genus for about 200 species of docks and sorrels, which are annual, biennial, and perennial herbs in the buckwheat (Polygonaceae) family. Members of this family are very common with a native almost worldwide distribution. This family is sometimes called dock weed and some members are grown for their edible leaves. Species of this genus also act as host plants for various butterfly types. Rumex tends to be erect, weedy, with long tap roots and with leaves that are mainly basal, alternate, and simple. Rumex flowers tend to be small, red or green in color, and carried in terminal, branched clusters. The fruit of the plant is reddish brown. The plant can be used for flavoring of soups, butters, or omelets; however, be cautious when cooking parts of this plant, especially large quantities of leaves, which if not cooked properly, can cause nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and headache. Also, only collect plants for cooking from areas you know have NOT been treated with pesticides. The plants are typically found in disturbed areas in pastures, fields, and roadsides. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Some members of this family are nuisance weeds and are listed as weedy or invasive by 46 states.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheApocynum cannabinumLantana camara 'Ham and Eggs'Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual; Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Annual; Biennial; Perennial
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Orbicular; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Leathery
Leaf value
Edible
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves form a basal rosette at the root , which differs from the leaves near the flowers. They may or may not have stipules. Minor leaf veins occur.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Flowers small, in terminal, branched clusters, red or green. Flowers are carried above the leaves in clusters.
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
Fruit is a reddish brown, 3-angled achene, often with a round tubercle on one or all three sides.
Stem detail
Erect, ascending, or prostrate, glabrous or papillose-pubescent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Distribution
Throughout
Wildlife value
butterfly host
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers; Seeds
Fruit type
Achene
Edibility
Leaves for flavoring, flowers, and seeds.
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#poisonous #butterfly friendly #problem for cats #problem for dogs #problem for horses #herb garden #weedy #edible #contact dermatitis
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Propagation
Seed
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Leaves
Poison symptoms
Ingesting leaves in large quantities and if not cooked properly can cause nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, headache. Kidney failure (rare in dogs/cats), tremors, salivation.