Rumex longifolius 'Northern Dock'

[Ex. Teesdale, 440m., England]

Polygonaceae: a tall robust perennial to a height of 60 to 120cm. Found in wet meadows, river, stream and lakesides, farms and arable fields. The inflorescence consists of large clusters of racemes which contain small greenish flowers that are bisexual. Blooming from June to August. Fruit are without tubercles. The stem leaves are alternate and are narrowly ovate–lanceolate and have a rounded or tapered base. Found from Lancashire and Yorkshire northwards, common in parts of southern and eastern Scotland. Found only above 330m in Co. Durham. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to the Pyrenees, Caucasus and Central Asia.

USES:

Leaves harvested as they appear through the ground and eaten as a vegetable.

The whole plant, but especially the root, has alterative, astringent, cholagogue, deobstruent, stomachic and tonic properties.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in early spring. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a deep fertile moderately heavy soil that is humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained and a position in full-sun or part shade.

HARVESTED: 2019

 

APPROX. 100 SEEDS