Water dock (Rumex aquaticus, Sp. Pl.: 336 (1753))

Family: Polygonaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 336 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rumex

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Eurasia

Description

Water dock, known scientifically as Rumex aquaticus and first described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the noted botanist Carl Linnaeus, is a prominent plant species in the Polygonaceae family. Native to temperate regions of Eurasia, this resilient plant usually thrives in wetland areas, often gracing the edges of ponds, lakes, and streams with its presence.

Characterized by its tall, robust stature, Water dock features large, lance-shaped leaves that emerge from a stout, erect stem. The leaves are typically dark green, with a slightly reddish tinge at the base, hinting at the plant’s vibrant lifecycle. The plant’s inflorescences are equally notable, consisting of elongated clusters of small greenish flowers that eventually turn into red-brown seeds, indicative of the plant’s maturity.

Favored for its ecological role, Rumex aquaticus serves as a crucial species within wetland ecosystems, aiding in soil stabilization and providing habitat and food for various aquatic and semi-aquatic fauna. Its extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion along water bodies, while its leaves and seeds offer sustenance to numerous insects and birds.

Culturally and historically, Water dock has also found its way into traditional practices. In various Eurasian communities, parts of the plant have been used in folk medicine for their purported benefits, although such uses should be approached with caution due to the presence of certain compounds that can be toxic if misused.

Overall, Water dock presents a fascinating study of a plant well-adapted to its environment, playing a significant role in both its ecosystem and human history.

Common Names

Dan: dynd-skræppe
Eng: scottish dock, water dock, western dock
Deu: wasser-ampfer
Swe: hästskräppa, vesihierakka, hästsyra
Nld: paardenzuring
Fra: parelle, rumex aquatique
Ita: romice acquatico
Nob: vasshøymol
Nno: vasshøymole
Fin: vesihierakka
Sme: gáddejuopmu
Gla: copag albannach
Cym: tafolen y dŵr, tafolen yr alban
En: Water dock, Scottish dock, Western dock, Red Dock
Ar: حماض الماء
Be: Шчаўе воднае
Bg: Воден лапад
Ca: Paradella aquàtica
Zh: Shui sheng suan mo, 水生酸模
Kw: Tavol an dowr
Cs: Šťovík vodní
Da: Dynd-skræppe
Nl: Paardezuring, Paardenzuring
Et: Vesioblikas
Fi: Vesihierakka
Fr: Rumex aquatique, Parelle
De: Wasser-Ampfer
It: Romice acquatico, Rómice acquatico
Lv: Ūdens skābene
Se: Gáddejuopmu
Nb: Vasshøymol
Nn: Vasshøymole
Pl: Szczaw wodny
Gd: Copag Albannach
Sv: Hästskräppa, Vesihierakka, Hästsyra
Uk: Щавель водяний
Cy: Tafolen yr Alban, Tafolen y Dŵr

Synonyms

• Lapathum aquaticum ((L.) Scop.)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

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

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

Taken Jul 18, 2021 by Natalia Kazakova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Pascal Dupuis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2022 by Douglas Scofield (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 3, 2022 by Jömes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Zog Club (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Raffaello 2 Garofalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2022 by Laurène (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2021 by elisabeth vanheerden (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Pierre Ménard (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2022 by benny ludema (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2022 by benny ludema (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2022 by Douglas Scofield (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2022 by Douglas Scofield (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 28, 2022 by cristina cenci (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 28, 2020 by John G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Jil K (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

© 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/2888992)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:301511-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rumex aquaticus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 7