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Description
Rumex Patientia, commonly known as patience dock, garden patience, or monk’s rhubarb, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the buckwheat family Polygonaceae. It is native to Europe and Western Asia but has also been introduced to North America. The plant has a long history of medicinal use due to its high oxalic acid content, which makes it ideal for treating urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and digestive problems.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Genus | Rumex |
Appearance
The patience dock plant has a taproot system that can grow up to 1 meter deep into the soil. Its leaves are oblong or lanceolate, up to 30 cm long and 10 cm wide, with a wavy margin and a pointed tip. The leaves are often a bright green color but can also have a reddish tint. The flowers are small and greenish, arranged in clusters on branched inflorescences that can reach up to 1 meter tall. The fruit is a small achene, with a triangular shape and a shiny black color.
Care Guide
Rumex Patientia is a hardy plant that can tolerate different types of soil, including clay, loam, and sand. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8. Here are some care tips for growing this plant:- Water: Water the plant regularly, but do not overwater it as it can cause root rot.- Fertilization: The plant does not require much fertilization, but you can add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil in the spring.- Soil: The plant prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.- Sunlight: The plant prefers full sun to partial shade.- Hardiness Zones: The plant can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8.
Common Pests & Diseases
Rumex Patientia is a relatively pest and disease-resistant plant. However, it can be susceptible to the following:- Rust: A fungal disease that causes yellow-orange pustules on the leaves.- Aphids: Small sap-sucking insects that can cause stunted growth and curled leaves.- Slugs and snails: These pests can eat the leaves and cause significant damage to the plant.- Root rot: Overwatering can cause the roots to rot and lead to plant death.
Habitat
Rumex Patientia is native to Europe and Western Asia but has also been introduced to North America. The plant can be found in meadows, pastures, and disturbed areas, such as roadsides and waste places. It prefers moist soils but can also tolerate drought conditions.
Question and Answer
1. What are the medicinal properties of Rumex Patientia?
Answer: The plant is high in oxalic acid, which makes it ideal for treating urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and digestive problems.2. What type of soil does Rumex Patientia prefer?
Answer: The plant prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.3. What are the common pests and diseases of Rumex Patientia?
Answer: The plant can be susceptible to rust, aphids, slugs and snails, and root rot.4. Where is Rumex Patientia native to?
Answer: The plant is native to Europe and Western Asia.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to Rumex Patientia:- Rumex Crispus- Rumex Obtusifolius- Rumex Acetosella- Rumex Sanguineus
References
– “Rumex patientia – Plant Finder.” Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plantfinder/plantfindersearch.aspx?taxonid=281170.- “Rumex Patientia.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Sept. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumex_patientia.- “Rumex Patientia – Plants For A Future.” Plants For A Future, www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rumex+patientia.
