(arctic dock)
Select an option below for more information on this species
Photo of Rumex arcticus by Jacob Frank
|
Rumex arcticus is a tall perennial herb in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) with highly reduced reddish flowers. This species occurs in wet meadows across the park from the lowlands well into alpine areas. Plants grow 0.3-1 m tall from a stout
rhizome. Stems are typically reddish (and often the
entire plant may have a reddish tinge), and are longitudinally ribbed. Leaves can vary from dark green to red-edged or entirely red. Basal leaves are fleshy, long-
petioled, and
oblong to
lanceolate in shape. The stem leaves are alternate, acute and narrow. The
inflorescence is a terminal, open, branched
raceme of small reduced flowers. Flowers have highly reduced
tepals, also reddish. Fruits are winged seeds, 1-2 mm tall. This species looks similar to the related
Rumex acetosa ssp.
alpestris, but its leaves are
oblong, not
hastate.
Rumex arcticus is perennial and
deciduous and greens up after snow melt. Flowering happens in mid-summer.
This plant is
monoecious with bisexual flowers. Flowers are likely wind-pollinated. The fruits are
achenes with three winged margins, also wind-dispersed.
The leaves and stem of Rumex arcticus are edible, either raw or cooked. Leaves make a good addition to salad. It is used extensively by Alaska's indigenous peoples and often preserved for winter use. rhizomatous root is usually boiled and mixed with seal oil or added to stews. Leaves and stems are separately boiled in water to make green and red drinks, similar to lemonade. This root has been used as a tonic, laxative and to treat gastrointestinal problems (Garibaldi 1999). The stem can be used to relieve the sting from mosquito bites or stinging nettles.
Disclaimer for Known Uses.
Rumex arcticus is an amphi-Beringian species with an arctic-alpine distribution. In North America, it ranges from Alaska eastward into Yukon, Nunavut, and the Canadian arctic islands, and southward into British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. Rumex arcticus occurs widely across Alaska, except it is rare in the southeastern panhandle. In Denali, this species occurs in suitable wetland habitat park wide on both sides of the Alaska Range.
Details are shown in the Plots & Charts found at right, depicting recent Denali data.
Rumex arcticus grows at elevations between 185 m and 1312 m, with an average plot elevation of 750 m. This species shows no strong preference in site aspect. It prefers low angled sites with an average plot slope of 5 degrees.
Details are shown in the Plots & Charts found at right. For more on how to interpret these figures, visit Understanding Data Presented.
Rumex arcticus grows in wet, turfy or mossy places, streambanks, wet tundra, snow beds, and lakeshores.
Wet sites.
