Rumex brownii

Rumex brownii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Rumex
Species: R. brownii
Binomial name
Rumex brownii
Campd.
Synonyms
  • Rumex alcockii Rech.f.
  • Rumex brownei orth. var.

Rumex brownii, the hooked dock,[1] Browne's dock[2] or swamp dock, is a leafy perennial herb native to Australia, and is widespread and grows in disturbed sites. Introduced weed in Pacific Islands, England,[3] Japan and New Zealand.[4]

It is 50–80 cm high with variably shaped basal leaves, oblong or lanceolate, to 12 cm long, and to 4 cm wide with cordate to truncate base. The petiole is about half as long as the lamina. Flower whorls with 3–5 hooked teeth on each side and with a hooked tip.[5] The hooks aid seed dispersal via attaching to animal fur and hair, and also human clothing.[6]

Uses

Leaf used as a blanched leafy vegetable.

References

  1. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. "Rumex brownei". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  3. Low, T "Bush Tucker Australias Wild Food Harvest" 1989
  4. Rumex brownii weed profile. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) http://www.hear.org/pier/species/rumex_brownii.htm
  5. Rumex brownii, New South Wales Flora Online
  6. Docks (Rumex sp., Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.
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