Marsh Dock

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Marsh Dock

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Steinmannia flavovirens
• Lapathum limosum
• Rumex palustris subsp. uliginosus
• Rumex uliginosus
• Rumex laxiflorus
• Rumex palustris var. nanus
• Rumex limosus var. palustris
• Lapathum palustre

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Polygonaceae, falling under the genus Rumex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, and Ireland. Moving toward the central part of the continent, it can also be found in Middle Europe. Specifically, the species is recorded within the borders of Austria. These locations highlight the plant's preference for certain temperate European environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Rumex palustris is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable periods primarily through the production of seeds rather than persistent vegetative structures. Its growth habit is strictly deciduous, shedding its foliage as it completes its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Rumex palustris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. The plant is self-supporting rather than being a liana or vine, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its ecological habit, it is primarily terrestrial, though it can inhabit semiaquatic environments. The plant displays a variable stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.71 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.71 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rumex palustris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy common among plants inhabiting temperate wetland environments. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of approximately 18.25125 cm², which contributes to its overall surface area for light interception. In terms of nutritional strategy, it is classified as non-carnivorous, relying on traditional soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the digestion of prey. Furthermore, its leaf morphology and density are reflected in a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 235.35 cm²/g, an indicator of its leaf thickness and resource allocation efficiency.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

18.25125 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

235.35 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rumex palustris is characterized by a seasonal flowering period that begins in July and concludes in September. The plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on wind for the transfer of pollen. During the reproductive process, self-fertilization is present, facilitating the development of its fruit, which is classified as an achene. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release the seeds. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000716875 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00056 g to a maximum of 0.00096 g. For the spread of the species, it employs a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing water to transport its seeds to new locations. Furthermore, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction through seed production the primary means of propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00096 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000716875 g

Seed mass min:

0.00056 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rumex palustris has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations