Patience dock (Rumex patientia, Sp. Pl.: 333 (1753))

Family: Polygonaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 333 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rumex

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. Europe to N. Greece

Description

Patience dock, scientifically known as Rumex patientia, is a distinguished member of the Polygonaceae family. This hardy perennial plant traces its roots back to Eastern Central Europe, extending its presence all the way to Northern Greece. Known for its notable resilience, Patience dock has carved out a niche in these diverse geographical areas, thriving in various environmental conditions.

Historically documented in Carl Linnaeus’s seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, Patience dock holds a respected place in botanical literature. Its broad, luscious leaves and robust stature make it a recognizable feature in the landscapes it inhabits. The plant typically flourishes in nutrient-rich, moist soils but is adaptable enough to withstand less than ideal conditions, showcasing its remarkable patience and hardiness—traits aptly reflected in its common name.

In traditional practices, Rumex patientia is often valued not just for its ecological contributions, but also for its uses in folk remedies and as a culinary ingredient. The leaves can be cooked and consumed, providing nutritional benefits that have been appreciated by various cultures over centuries.

Surviving and thriving from Eastern Central Europe to Northern Greece, the spread of Patience dock across these regions highlights its adaptability and importance within its native ecosystem. The plant continues to be a subject of interest for botanists and horticulturists alike, symbolizing endurance and the intricate relationship between flora and environment.

Common Names

Dan: engelsk spinat
Deu: englischer spinat, garten-ampfer, gartenampfer, gemüseampfer, östlicher garten-ampfer
Fra: oseille-épinard, patience des moines, grande patience, oseille, patience, épinard-oseille, rumex patience
Eng: patience dock, spinach dock, garden patience
Ita: romice erba pazienza
Pol: szczaw żółty
Por: azeda-espinafre
Nob: hagesyre
Nno: hagesyre
Spa: hierba de la paciencia
Swe: pinaattihierakka, spenatskräppa, patientia, spenatsyra
Fin: pinaattihierakka
Nld: spinaziezuring
Cym: tafol goddefus, tafol y bragdy, tafolen oddefus
En: Patience dock, Spinach dock, Garden patience
Ar: حماض كبير
Bg: Спанаков лапад
Ca: Paradella de galàpet
Zh: Ba tian suan mo, 巴天酸模
Cs: Šťovík zahradní
Da: Engelsk spinat
Nl: Spinaziezuring
Et: Spinatoblikas
Fi: Pinaattihierakka
Fr: Grande patience, Patience, Épinard-oseille, Oseille, Oseille-épinard, Patience des moines, Rumex patience
De: Gartenampfer, Gemüseampfer, Englischer Spinat, Gemüse-Ampfer, Garten-Ampfer, Östlicher Garten-Ampfer
Ht: Lòzèy
It: Romice erba pazienza, Pazienza, Rómice erba pazienza, Romice domestica
No: Hagesyre
Nb: Hagesyre
Nn: Hagesyre
Fa: ترشک شفادهنده
Pl: Szczaw żółty
Pt: Azeda-espinafre
Ro: Ștevie
Sr: Зеље
Es: Hierba de la paciencia, Paciencia
Sv: Spenatskräppa, Pinaattihierakka, Patientia, Spenatsyra
Cy: Tafolen oddefus, Tafol Goddefus, Tafol y Bragdy

Synonyms

• Acetosa patientia ((L.) M.Gómez)
• Rumex aquaticus subsp. patientia ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Rumex patientia subsp. eupatientia (Rech.f.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Altay (introduced)
• Amur (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken May 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 31, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Michelle Mateos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Michelle Mateos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Michelle Mateos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Michelle Mateos (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2020 by Massonnier Chloé (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2020 by Beracoechea María (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2020 by Marzocchi Monica (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 24, 2019 by Julien Legrand (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 5, 2021 by Vitali Andrea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 1990 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 10, 2022 by Raffaello 2 Garofalo (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Patrick Buchin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by stéphane COLLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

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

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

© 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/2889019)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:697388-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rumex patientia L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 8