Patience Dock

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• patience dock
• spinach dock
• Herb-Patience

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acetosa patientia
• Rumex aquaticus subsp. patientia

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. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic classification places it within the genus Rumex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Rumex patientia, exhibits a specific distribution across Northern Europe. Its presence can be documented throughout the Scandinavian Peninsula, specifically in Norway and Sweden. Furthermore, it is found within the territories of Denmark and Finland. The species also extends its range to include Great Britain. Consequently, its geographical footprint is concentrated within these northernmost regions.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rumex patientia is characterized by its adaptability to diverse altitudinal gradients and varied terrestrial environments. This species exhibits an expansive elevational range, inhabiting locations from as low as 20 m AMSL to high-altitude regions reaching a maximum of 4000 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 2350 m AMSL. In terms of habitat preference, the plant commonly thrives as a weed within agricultural fields, often colonizing grassy slopes and dense thickets where it can compete effectively within these disturbed or semi-natural ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

20 m AMSL

Habitat :

As weed in fields on grassy slopes and in thickets

Life history

The life history of Rumex patientia is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, typically protected by leaf litter or surface debris. This hemicryptophytic nature ensures its survival and ability to regenerate during unfavorable environmental conditions, facilitating its long-term presence in its natural habitat.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rumex patientia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This species is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or liana-like tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, establishing itself firmly in soil environments. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 1.05 m, though its size can vary significantly depending on environmental conditions, ranging from a minimum height of 0.8 m to a maximum of 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.05 m

Plant height min:

0.8 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rumex patientia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on its root system and soil interface for the uptake of essential macronutrients and micronutrients, rather than capturing and digesting prey to supplement its nitrogen requirements.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rumex patientia is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that typically begins in July and concludes in August. The plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on wind to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Within its reproductive mechanics, self-fertilization is present, ensuring reproductive success. The resulting fruits are classified as achenes, which are indehiscent in nature. These fruits are quite small, with a mean length of 0.275 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm. The seeds produced within these fruits exhibit a mean mass of 0.06922 g, though recorded values for individual seed mass range from a minimum of 0.00136 g to a maximum of 0.00136 g. Following maturation, the plant employs a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing water as the primary medium to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.275 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Seed mass max:

0.00136 g

Seed mass mean:

0.06922 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rumex patientia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, seed.

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Phytochemistry

Seed

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Rumex patientia has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Torachrysone-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 2,4-dichloro-1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylnaphthalene-8-o-beta-d-glucopyranoside, 2-acetyl-4-chloro-1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylnaphthalene-8-o-beta-d-glucopyranoside, 226Ra, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

Torachrysone-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Phytochemistry

2,4-dichloro-1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylnaphthalene-8-o-beta-d-glucopyranoside

1. Journal of natural products

2-acetyl-4-chloro-1,8-dihydroxy-3-methylnaphthalene-8-o-beta-d-glucopyranoside

1. Journal of natural products

226Ra

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

CATALASE

1. Die Pharmazie

CATECHIN

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chrysophanol

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chrysophanol-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Emodin-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Rumex patientia has 2 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antipyretic.

Analgesic

1. Die Pharmazie

Antipyretic

1. Die Pharmazie

Medicinal Uses

Rumex patientia has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antipyretic, capillary permeability, dysentery, enteritis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations