Rumex obtusifolius - Round-Leaved Dock - Seeds

Description

• Polygonaceae Caryophyllales
• Western Europe
• H 1.5m x L 0.6m
•  Z4 
• Perennial
• Synonym : Bitter Dock
• 1 packet of 20 seeds

-

Details

Rumex obtusifolius is a large and beautiful wild plant from the Sorrel family
It is commonly found in meadows and grassy areas, where it indicates moist and pack soil
It is also a garden weed, and a problem in agriculture

Its large, green leaves gathered in a rosette, emerge vigorously from the ground in spring
The flower stalk follows at the end of spring and can reach 1.5 m
It bears a multitude of small green flowers, united in whorls, which give rise to triangular fruits (achenes) often taking a pretty pink hue before maturity

The taproot of the Round-Leaved Dock ramifies with age and reaches several tens of cm in depth
Its bright yellow flesh contains bactericidal, fungicidal and insect and rodent repellants

Rumex obtusifolius has medicinal properties : Astringent, Contraceptive, Healing, Laxative, Purifying, and Soothing

It has also been used in cooking, in soups
Its young leaf brings a little acidity, but also bitterness

Bitter Dock is an interesting Dye plant, rich in tannins, and which use does not always require mordanting
Dyers can get a whole range of very beautiful pastel colors, wash and light fast :

• Yellows, Greens, Grays and Browns with the root
• Apricot, Salmon and Terracotta with the fresh seeds harvested before full maturity
• Mustard and Ochres with a mix of all the aerial parts of the plant

 -

Cultivation

Sow early at the end of winter or at the very beginning of spring, in pots in the nursery (3-5 seeds) or in the ground in a row, in a sunny, open position

Tamp the soil after sowing and keep it moist
In addition to humidity, germination is triggered by compaction and compaction shock

Remove the least vigorous seedlings

Plant/transplant in May in the final location, without damaging the tap root, spacing 30cm in all directions

Water until recovery if the soil is dry

Rumex obtusifolius is maintenance free, without diseases and without pests

Harvest the different parts of the plant according to need, maturity and seasonal availability - Leaves in spring, summer and autumn, Fresh seeds in early summer, Roots of 2 or 3 year old plants in autumn and winter