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Rumex acetosa

(Dock)

Overview

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Perennial herb.

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in Arabic:

Houmadhe (Egypt)

Common Names in Bulgarian:

Kiselets

Common Names in Chinese:

Suan Mo

Common Names in Danish:

Almindelig Syre, Dusksyre, Syre

Common Names in Dutch:

Veldzuring

Common Names in English:

Dock, Acid Sorrel, Bread-And-Cheese, Brown Sugar, Cock Sorrel, Common Sorrel, Cuckoo´s Mest, Cuckoo´s Sorrel, Cuckoo´s Sorrow, Dock Seed, Donkey´s Oats, Field Sorrel, Garden Sorrel, Gipsy´s Baccy, Green Sauce, Green Snob, Green Sorrel, Lammie Sourocks, Lonondon Green Suce, Redshank, Sallet, Sheep Sorrel, Soldiers, Soorik, Sor Saps, Sor Sog, Sorrel, Sorrel Dock, Sorrow, Sour Dock, Sour Docken, Sour Grab, Sour Grass, Sour Leaves, Sour Sab, Sour Salves, Sour Sauce, Sour Sodge, Sour Sops, Sour Suds, Sourdock, Sourlick, Sourock, Sow-Sorrel, Spinach Dock, Tom Thumb´s Thousand Fingers

Common Names in Finnish:

Niittysuolaheinä

Common Names in French:

Aigrette, Grande Oseille, Oreille De Brebis, Oseille, Oseille Commune, Oseille Des Jardins, Oseille Des Prés, Patience, Patience Acide, Rumex à Feuilles Sagittées, Rumex Oseille, Surelle, Surette, Vinette

Common Names in German:

Garten-Sauerampfer, Große Sauerampfer, Großer Ampfer, Sauerampfer, Wiesensauerampfer

Common Names in Greek:

Oxalida, Oxilapatho, Oxilidi, Xinethra, Xinithra, Xinolapatho

Common Names in Icelandic:

Túnsúra

Common Names in Italian:

Acetosa Maggiore, Erba Brusca, Romice Acetosa, Saleggiola

Common Names in Japanese:

Suiba

Common Names in Norwegian:

Engsyre, Matsyre

Common Names in Polish:

Szczaw Pospolity, Szczaw Zwyczajny

Common Names in Portuguese:

Azeda, Azeda-Brava, Azedas, Azedas-Bravas, Erva-Vinagreira, Vinagreira

Common Names in Russian:

Shchavel Obyknovennyi (Avel Obyknovennyj)

Common Names in Slovenian:

Tiav Lúny

Common Names in Spanish:

Acedera Común, Acedera De Lagarto, Acedera De Sapo, Acetosa, Agreta, Agrilla, Alacamines, Alcalamines, Azedinha Da Horta, Vinagrera, Vinagrera Común, Vinagrerilla, Vinagrerita, Vinagreta, Zarrampín

Common Names in Swedish:

ängssyra, Trädgårdssyra

Common Names in Turkish:

Koca Kuzu Kula, Kuzukula

Common Names in Vietnamese:

Cây Chút Chít, Chút Chít

Description

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Family Polygonaceae

Herbs, shrubs , or small trees , sometimes monoecious or dioecious. Stems erect , prostrate , twining , or scandent , often with swollen nodes, striate , grooved , or prickly. Leaves simple , alternate, rarely opposite or whorled , petiolate or subsessile ; stipules often united to a sheath (ocrea) . Inflorescence terminal or axillary , spicate , racemose, paniculate , or capitate. Pedicel occasionally articulate . Flowers small, actinomorphic , bisexual , rarely unisexual . Perianth 3-6-merous, in 1 or 2 series, herbaceous, often enlarged in fruit or inner tepals enlarged, with wings , tubercles , or spines. Stamens usually (3-) 6-9, rarely more; filaments free or united at base ; anthers 2-loculed, opening lengthwise; disk annular (often lobed ) . Ovary superior, 1-loculed; styles 2 or 3, rarely 4, free or connate at lower part. Fruit a trigonous , biconvex , or biconcave achene; seed with straight or curved embryo and copious endosperm.

About 50 genera and 1120 species: worldwide, but primarily N temperate with a few species in tropical regions ; 13 genera (two endemic) and 238 species (65 endemic) in China.[1]

Genus Rumex

Herbs, perennial , biennial, or annual , synoecious (subg. Rumex and Platypodium) or dioecious (subg. Acetosa and Acetosella), occasionally polygamomonoecious, with taproots and usually short caudex , or sometimes rhizomatous and/or stoloniferous . Stems erect , ascending , or prostrate , glabrous or papillose-pubescent. Leaves basal (in some species) and cauline, alternate, petiolate ; ocrea persistent or partially deciduous, membranous; petioles present on basal and proximal cauline leaves, absent on distal cauline leaves, bases not articulated; blades variable in shape , basal (if present) and proximal cauline leaves from broadly ovate or almost orbiculate to linear , becoming progressively smaller and narrower distally, margins entire (or basally lobate ), flat, or occasionally undulate or crisped . Inflorescences terminal , sometimes terminal and axillary , paniclelike, rarely simple . Pedicels present. Flowers bisexual or unisexual , (1-) 4-30 per ocreate fascicle, base stipelike; perianth green, pinkish, or red, campanulate , glabrous; tepals (5-) 6, connate proximally, sepaloid , dimorphic , outer 3 remaining small, inner 3 usually enlarging, sometimes 1-3 with central vein transformed into tuberculate callosity (tubercle) ; stamens 6; filaments distinct , free , glabrous; anthers , yellow to brownish yellow, ovate to elongate ; styles 3, spreading or reflexed , distinct; stigmas 3, fimbriate or plumose . Achenes included in accrescent and usually veiny perianth, tan to dark brown, unwinged to weakly winged , 3-gonous, sometimes compressed-3-gonous or nearly pyramidal , glabrous. Seeds: embryo straight. x = 7, 8, 9, 10 (polyploidy widespread in the genus).

Species 190-200: almost worldwide, but mostly in temperate regions of both hemispheres; some taxa occur in many regions of the world as naturalized or casual aliens .

Carefully collected mature specimens with well-developed inner tepals are desirable for reliable identification of Rumex species. Vegetative characters (in particular, growth habit, basal and proximal cauline leaves, and inflorescences) also are crucial.

In Rumex the distal part of a functional pedicel (below the articulation with a true pedicel) is formed by the narrowed connate basal parts of the outer tepals (also known as a stipelike hypanthium base or pseudopedicel). However, for simplification of the keys and descriptions , the whole functional pedicel (including pseudopedicel) is referred to simply as pedicel.

The genus Rumex in the broad sense may be divided into at least four segregate genera: Rumex in the narrow sense, Acetosa, Acetosella, and Bucephalophora (see e.g. , Á. Löve 1983; Löve and B . M. Kapoor 1967; N. N. Tzvelev 1987b, 1989b). These taxa probably represent distinct phylogenetic lineages ; they have, however, not been generally accepted as separate genera by most taxonomists, including K . H. Rechinger (1937, 1949), monographer of Rumex in the broad sense. Moreover, in some cases they are connected by intermediate forms (especially Acetosa and Acetosella) and evidently are more closely related to each other than to any outgroup genus.

Many Old World species of Rumex may be divided in their native areas of distribution into quite distinct subspecies or varieties. However, the same species occurring in North America as introduced aliens often are represented by atypical , intermediate specimens or even populations (as is true also for many native North American taxa occurring as aliens in Europe), which in many cases obscures those taxonomic distinctions.[2]

Physical Description

Species Rumex acetosa

Plants perennial , glabrous or nearly so, with short and relatively thin, horizontal or slightly oblique rootstock (usually not reaching deep into substrate) and ± crowded 2d-order roots . Stems erect or rarely ascending , 1 to several from base , branched in distal 2 (in inflorescence), (25-) 30-90(-110) cm. Leaves: ocrea normally laciniate ; blade oblong-ovate, ovate-lanceolate, to lanceolate, 4-10(-15) × 1-4(-6) cm, normally more than 2.5 times as long as wide, base sagittate (with acute lobes directed downward, ± parallel to petiole ), margins entire, normally flat, apex acute or subacute . Inflorescences terminal , occupying distal 3 of stem, usually lax and interrupted especially in proximal part, narrowly paniculate , cylindric (with 1st-order branches simple , or with few 2d-order branches). Pedicels articulated near middle , filiform , 2-5(-6) mm, articulation distinct . Flowers (2-) 4-8(-10) in whorls; inner tepals orbiculate, occasionally broadly ovate , 3-4(-5) × 3-4 mm, base rounded or cordate, apex obtuse ; tubercles small or occasionally absent. Achenes black to dark brown, 1.8-2.5 × 1.2-1.5 mm, shiny, smooth . 2n = 14 (pistillate plants ), 15 (staminate plants). [source]

Rumex acetosa is morphologically uniform in North America. It sometimes is misidentified as R. hastatulus orR. acetosella. Collections from North America are few in herbaria, and this species probably is not as common in the flora area as has been generally assumed. Some literature reports for R. acetosa may refer to other taxa of the species group. [source]

Habit: Forb/herb

Flowers: Bloom Period: February, March, April, May. • Flower Color: green

Size/Age/Growth

Size: Height to 18".

Habitat

Waste places, meadows, cultivated fields , alluvial habitats ; 0-1000 m [3].

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 4,653 meters (0 to 15,266 feet).[4]

Biology

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Reproduction

Duration: Perennial

Growth

Culture: Space 12" apart.

Soil: Minimum pH: 5.6 • Maximum pH: 6.5

Sunlight: Sun Exposure: Sun to part shade.

Temperature: Cold Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. (map)

Taxonomy

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Synonyms

Acetosa pratensis Miller • Rumex acetosa pratensis (Miller) A. Blytt & O. C. Dahl

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

Last scrutiny: 15-Mar-2000

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Rumex

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 107 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus. Here are just 100 of them:

R. acetosa (Dock) · R. acetosa lapponicus (Garden Sorrel) · R. acetosa thyrsiflorus (Garden Sorrel) · R. acetosa subsp. alpestris (Garden Sorrel) · R. acetosa subsp. lapponicus (Garden Sorrel) · R. acetosa 'Rhubarb Pie' (Dock) · R. acetosella (Common Sheep Sorrel) · R. acetosella tenuifolius (Narrow-Leaved Sheep´s Sorrel) · R. acutus (Acute Dock) · R. albescens (Oahu Dock) · R. alexidis (Alex's Dock) · R. alpestris alpestris (Garden Sorrel) · R. alpinus (Munk's Rhubarb) · R. altissimus (Pale Dock) · R. altissimus ellipticus (Smooth Dock) · R. ambiguus (Garden Sorrel) · R. aquaticus (Western Dock) · R. aquaticus var. fenestratus (Western Dock) · R. arcticus (Arctic Dock) · R. arcticus var. arcticus (Arctic Dock) · R. arcticus var. perlatus (Arctic Dock) · R. arifolius (Garden Sorrel) · R. beringensis (Bering Sea Dock) · R. brownei (Browne's Dock) · R. brownii (Brown´s Dock) · R. bucephalophorus (Red Dock) · R. chrysocarpus (Amamastla) · R. confertus (Asiatic Dock) · R. confusus (Confused Dock) · R. conglomeratus (Clustered Dock) · R. crispus (Curled Dock) · R. crispus subsp. fauriei (Narrowleaf Dock) · R. cristatus (Greek Dock) · R. densiflorus (Dense-Flower Dock) · R. dentatus (Toothed Dock) · R. dentatus var. dentatus (Toothed Dock) · R. digynus (Alpine Mountainsorrel) · R. dissimilis (Dock) · R. franktonis (Frankton Dock) · R. frutescens (Wedgeleaf Dock) · R. giganteus (Pawale) · R. graminifolius (Grass-Leaved Sorrel) · R. hastatulus (Heartwing Dock) · R. hydrolapathum (Great Water Dock) · R. hymenosepalus (Canaigre) · R. kerneri (Kerner's Dock) · R. krausei (Krause's Sorrel) · R. lapponicus (Garden Sorrel) · R. longifolius (Door-Yard Dock) · R. maritimus (Bristle Dock) · R. mexicana (Whitesaddle Goatfish) · R. nematopodus (Arizona Dock) · R. obovatus (Tropical Dock) · R. obtusifolius (Bitter Dock) · R. obtusifolius obtusifolius (Round-Leaved Dock) · R. obtusifolius var. obtusifolius (Broadleaf Dock) · R. orbiculatus (Greater Water Dock) · R. orbiculatus var. borealis (Greater Water Dock) · R. orbiculatus var. orbiculatus (Greater Water Dock) · R. orthoneurus (Chiricahua Mountain Dock) · R. pallidus (Seaside Dock) · R. palustris (Marsh Dock) · R. paraguayensis (Paraguayan Dock) · R. patientia (Patience Dock) · R. paucifolius (Alpine Sheep Sorrel) · R. paucifolius gracilescens (Alpine Sheep Sorrel) · R. paucifolius paucifolius (Alpine Sheep Sorrel) · R. pseudonatronatus (Field Dock) · R. pseudoxyria (Garden Sorrel) · R. pulcher (Fiddle Dock) · R. pulcher var. divarticatus (Fiddle Dock) · R. pulcher var. pulcher (Fiddle Dock) · R. rugosus (Wrinkled Dock) · R. rupestris (Shore Dock) · R. sagittatus (Climbing Dock) · R. sagittatus cordifolius (Turkey-Rhubarb) · R. sagittatus latilobus (Turkey-Rhubarb) · R. salicifolius (Willow Dock) · R. salicifolius var. angustivalvis (Willow Dock) · R. salicifolius var. crassus (Willow-Leaf Dock) · R. salicifolius var. denticulatus (Toothed Willow Dock) · R. salicifolius var. lacustris (Lake Willow Dock) · R. salicifolius var. mexicanus (Mexican Dock) · R. salicifolius var. oreolapathum (Willow Dock) · R. salicifolius var. salicifolius (Willow Dock) · R. salicifolius var. transitorius (Willow Dock) · R. sanguineus (Bloodwort) · R. scutatus (Buckler-Leaved Sorrel) · R. sibiricus (Siberian Dock) · R. skottsbergii (Lava Dock) · R. spiralis (Winged Dock) · R. stenophyllus (Narrow-Leaf Dock) · R. subalpinus (Subalpine Dock) · R. thyrsiflorus thyrsiflorus (Narrow-Leaf Sorrel) · R. tomentellus (Willow Creek Dock) · R. tuberosus (Tuberous Dock) · R. venosus (Pursh Veiny Dock) · R. verticillatus (Swamp Dock) · R. vesicaria (Bladder Dock) · R. vesicarius (Bladder Dock)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 14, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. Anjen Li, Bojian Bao, Alisa E. Grabovskaya-Borodina, Suk-pyo Hong, John McNeill, Sergei L. Mosyakin, Hideaki Ohba & Chong-wook Park "Polygonaceae". in Flora of China Vol. 5 Page 277. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  2. Sergei L. Mosyakin "Rumex". in Flora of North America Vol. 5. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  3. "Rumex acetosa". in Flora of North America Vol. 5. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
  4. Mean = 419.960 meters (1,377.822 feet), Standard Deviation = 637.270 based on 5,444 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 7/15/2012