Mexican Dock (Rumex mexicanus)

Family: Polygonaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Rumex mexicanus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves - cooked. Used as greens. Seed - cooked or ground into a powder and used for making gruel or added to cereal flours and used for making bread. The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest. — Young leaves - cooked.; Seed - cooked or ground into a powder and used for making gruel or added to cereal flours and used for making bread.; The seed is rather small and fiddly to harvest.

Habitat & North American Range

Rich soils, occasionally brackish. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)