Rumex pulcher aka Fiddle Dock

Rumex pulcher, known as fiddle dock, belongs to the Polygonaceae family. Its native range spans the Azores, Europe, the Mediterranean region and Iran. The RHS also lists it as native to Britain and Ireland. Kew records an annual or perennial life cycle. Plants For A Future describes it as a perennial reaching about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres].

It grows in dry, sunny places, often on sandy ground. It also occurs on chalk and limestone. In gardens, it suits meadow areas and cultivated beds. Flowers appear from June to July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Wind carries the pollen. The supplied species evidence gives no further detail on leaves, stems or fruit.

Fiddle dock grows in sun or partial shade. It accepts sandy, loamy and clay soils. It also tolerates mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline ground. For cultivation, Plants For A Future favours deep, fertile soil rich in humus. The soil should hold moisture yet drain well. The plant accepts both dry and moist conditions. These needs allow a range of garden sites, though drainage remains important.

Seed and division offer ways to raise new plants. Sow seed in a cold frame in spring. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Plant them outside in summer. Established plants can also be divided in spring. Plants For A Future lists no known medicinal use. Its weed-potential entry does not flag the species as weedy. The supplied evidence gives no species-specific pest or disease details.

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Their sour taste can add flavour to salads. Plants For A Future gives the species a low food-use rating. Its hazard note warns that leaves may contain high levels of oxalic acid. Large amounts can limit the body's uptake of minerals, including calcium. Cooking reduces the oxalic acid content. Eat only small amounts, rather than treating the leaves as a staple green. People prone to kidney stones or gout should take care. The same caution applies to arthritis, rheumatism and excess stomach acidity. The evidence does not establish safety for pets.