Wood Dock

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bloodwort dock
• bloody dock
• red-veined dock
• wood dock
• redvein dock
• Blood Dock
• Blood Sorrel

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lapathum viride
• Lapathon sylvaticum
• Rumex sanguineus var. viridis
• Vibones auratus
• Acetosa sanguinea
• Rumex sanguineus var. exsanguis
• Rumex microdon
• Rumex nemolapathum var. sanguineus
• Rumex nemorosus var. sanguineus
• Rumex sanguineus subsp. viridis
• Rumex nemorosus subsp. sanguineus
• Rumex condylodes f. sanguinalis
• Rumex auratus
• Rumex sanguineus var. sanguinalis
• Rumex condylodes
• Rumex integer
• Lapathum nemorosum
• Lapathum sanguineum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of the European continent. Within Northern Europe, it can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its presence also extends across the British Isles, including Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the species is documented in the Scandinavian territories of Norway. Finally, it completes its northern range within the borders of Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rumex sanguineus is characterized by its preference for forest habitats, where it thrives under specific environmental conditions. This species is typically found across a broad altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. Within these forested ecosystems, its distribution is closely tied to the moisture and shade profiles provided by the woodland canopy.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Rumex sanguineus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, which provides a level of protection against environmental stressors during unfavorable periods. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it transitions through its seasonal cycles. Its developmental strategy and structural organization are defined by this hemicryptophytic life form, ensuring its continued survival and regeneration within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rumex sanguineus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, existing as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. As a terrestrial species, it maintains a self-supporting structure without the need to climb as a liana or vine. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 1.2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.788 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.788 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rumex sanguineus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its environment. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on autotrophic methods for nutrient acquisition through soil uptake and photosynthesis. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of 47.34 cm², reflecting its structural investment in light interception. This is further supported by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 250 cm²/g, a physiological metric that indicates the ratio of leaf area to dry mass, suggesting a strategy optimized for efficient gas exchange and light capture relative to its biomass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

47.34 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

250 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rumex sanguineus is characterized by a specialized sexual cycle that relies on abiotic factors. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August. During this phase, the plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically functioning through wind pollination to ensure fertilization. Self-fertilization is present within the species, facilitating successful reproductive cycles. The resulting fruit is a dry, indehiscent achene. The seeds produced are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000994333333333333 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00078 g to a maximum of 0.00113 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.84 mm³. Dispersal of these seeds is achieved through a dual strategy involving both hydrochorous (water) and anemochorous (wind) syndromes, allowing the plant to colonize new areas via aquatic and aerial movements. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual seed production the primary method for propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00113 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000994333333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00078 g

Seed volume max:

0.84 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rumex sanguineus has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society

Root

1. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society

Stem

1. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society

Chemicals

Rumex sanguineus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Proanthocyanidins, catechins, emodin.

Proanthocyanidins

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

catechins

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

emodin

1. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society