Fiddle dock (Rumex pulcher, Sp. Pl.: 336 (1753))

Family: Polygonaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 336 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rumex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, Europe to Medit. and Iran

Description

The Fiddle Dock, known scientifically as Rumex pulcher, is a notable member of the Polygonaceae family. First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has captured the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Fiddle dock is predominantly found across a diverse geographical range that includes the Azores, expansive regions in Europe, the Mediterranean, and extends as far as Iran. This wide distribution hints at the plant’s adaptability to various climates and soil conditions, making it a fascinating subject for ecological and botanical studies.

The distinctive characteristics of Fiddle dock add to its charm and ecological significance. The plant typically thrives in habitats such as meadows, grasslands, and along the edges of paths and fields, where it can benefit from ample sunlight. Its leaves are often described as having an intriguing shape that resembles a fiddle, contributing to its common name.

Fiddle dock holds significance not only for its unique morphology but also for its role in local ecosystems. It can act as a food source for certain insects and wildlife, thus playing a part in maintaining the biodiversity of the areas it inhabits. Moreover, like many members of the Polygonaceae family, it has been subject to various traditional uses, whether in herbal medicine or as a forage plant, although such uses might be more historically rooted than prevalent today.

Understanding the distribution and habitat of Rumex pulcher can provide insights into its ecological preferences and potential adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Consequently, ongoing observations and studies continue to shed light on this intriguing plant species, affirming its position within the rich tapestry of global flora.

Common Names

Eng: fiddle dock
Deu: gewöhnlicher schön-ampfer, schöner ampfer, spreizender schön-ampfer
Ita: romice cavolaccio
Fra: rumex élégant
Swe: skönskräppa
Nld: fraaie zuring
Cym: tafol canolfain, tafol crwth-ddail, tafolen ganolfain
En: Fiddle dock
Eu: Ahago
Bg: Красив лапад
Ca: Paradella mollerosa
Nl: Fraaie zuring
Fi: Soreahierakka
Fr: Rumex élégant, Oseille gracieuse, Patience élégante, Rumex joli, Violon
De: Schöner Ampfer, Gewöhnlicher Schön-Ampfer, Spreizender Schön-Ampfer
He: חומעה יפה
It: Romice cavolaccio, Rómice cavolaccio
Fa: ترشک زیبا
Pt: Coenha, Labaça-sinuada
Es: Acedera
Sv: Skönskräppa
Tr: Güzel labada
Cy: Tafolen ganolfain, Tafol Canolfain, Tafol Crwth-Ddail

Synonyms

• Lapathum pulchrum ((L.) Moench)
• Rumex divaricatus var. pulcher ((L.) Mérat)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 19, 2020 by Benjamin Denjean (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2019 by Goat’s Table (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by Philippe Ambourg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2018 by Thomas Michel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by Sandrina Courtois (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2018 by Thibaut Suisse (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2020 by Adriane Giordano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by ofirmgr (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2020 by Castro Beatriz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 25, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Garcia Ruano Daniel (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 5, 2019 by Frédéric Michenet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2020 by Valerio María (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2020 by Valerio María (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Dominique BLANC (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Dec 31, 1871 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2888978)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:697431-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rumex pulcher L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 7