Wild Edible Plants
RUMEX VESICARIUS
Ruby dock is recognizable by its fleshy, succulent, ovate leaves and its small clusters of pink flowers in bloom. Although the fruit is not the main edible interest of plant, the characteristic fruits of Ruby dock guide the scientific nomenclature "vesicarius," meaning "bladder-shaped." Rumex vesicarius is an annual plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family. Widespread in arid and semiarid regions, this wild edible is endemic to northern Africa and Asia and grows annually during the wet seasons of autumn and spring. This plant is well adapted to conditions of low water availability and thrives in warm climates as it can tolerate high temperatures – up to about 40°C. The plant does not tolerate severe cold, making it suitable for areas with mild winters. The young leaves of Ruby dock have a complex, slightly acidic flavor and can be added raw to salads. The dried and ground leaves are used as a spice to flavor meat or vegetable dishes.In some regions of the Middle East and South Asia, Ruby dock adds a distinctive flavor to curries or lentil dishes.
SEED SAVERS
Aterraterra Lab, Palermo (Italy) ︎︎︎
Ruby Dock
RUMEX VESICARIUS
Ruby dock is recognizable by its fleshy, succulent, ovate leaves and its small clusters of pink flowers in bloom. Although the fruit is not the main edible interest of plant, the characteristic fruits of Ruby dock guide the scientific nomenclature "vesicarius," meaning "bladder-shaped." Rumex vesicarius is an annual plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family. Widespread in arid and semiarid regions, this wild edible is endemic to northern Africa and Asia and grows annually during the wet seasons of autumn and spring. This plant is well adapted to conditions of low water availability and thrives in warm climates as it can tolerate high temperatures – up to about 40°C. The plant does not tolerate severe cold, making it suitable for areas with mild winters. The young leaves of Ruby dock have a complex, slightly acidic flavor and can be added raw to salads. The dried and ground leaves are used as a spice to flavor meat or vegetable dishes.In some regions of the Middle East and South Asia, Ruby dock adds a distinctive flavor to curries or lentil dishes.
SEED SAVERS
Aterraterra Lab, Palermo (Italy) ︎︎︎