Rumex acetosella
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Rumex acetosella

sheep's sorrel
dock

  family polygonaceae 
  genus rumex 

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Identification
Genus  Rumex Species  acetosella Variety  Cultivar  Common names  sheep's sorrel   dock Family  POLYGONACEAE Specimen number  S13784 Data source  Allergy p287;BtrflyCa p155;DyePl p70;MedPl p262
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Various Life span    Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Flower Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Decumbent Overall height    Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Various Water  Various Optimal soil texture  Various Acceptable soil pH  Various USDA hardiness  Not classified AHS heat zones  Not classified Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  no Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Rumex acetosella is a host plant for the lustrous copper butterfly. This whole plant has been used in traditional fabric dyeing. Grayish-pink is the most typical color produced by Sheep's sorrel (also known as dock). Dock is used in Lapland for dyeing. It is used in dyeing wool. When dyeing with this plant, alum is used as a mordant to fix the color to the fabric.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Lycaena cupreus (lustrous copper butterfly) Attracts butterflies  yes Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen  Strong Hay fever season  Mar 01 - Aug 31 Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  anticarcinogenic   detoxifier   laxative Medicinal parts  Aerial parts Has medicinal uses  yes Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes  Rumex acetosella is used as a traditional herbal remedy. It's used as an anticarcinogenic, a detoxifier and a laxative. Traditional medicinal remedies are made from the aerial parts. Keep away from this species if you are susceptible to hay fever. Hay fever problems may continue for up to 6 months, from March through August.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Whole plant Dye color  grayish-pink
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Various Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Rumex acetosella is a wildflower that occurs throughout US. Sheep's sorrel (in some places called dock) is thought to originate from Lapland.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes 

Page 4203 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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