Rumex vesicarius, also known as Ruby dock,[4] or bladder dock,[3] is a species of perennial[verification needed] flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae.[3] According to Plants of the World Online, Rumex vesicarius is native to tropical and temperate Asia, Africa, and Western Australia.[3] However, the Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria asserts that within Australia it is naturalised in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.[5]

Rumex vesicarius
Cultivar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Rumex
Species:
R. vesicarius
Binomial name
Rumex vesicarius
Synonyms[3]

Description

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It is an erect, succulent annual[verification needed] herb which grows to up about 60 cm high, and has triangular to ovate leaves which are truncate or cordate at the base and about 5–10 cm long,[6] with entire margins.[7] The stipules form an almost complete sheath around the stem which disintegrates. The flowers are green with a red tinge, and have six perianth segments with the inner three becoming enlarged and papery when fruiting. The hard, red and reticulately veined fruit persist,[7] giving rise to spectacular displays.[6]

Etymology

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The specific epithet, vesicarius, derives from the Latin word, vesica, meaning "bladder", to give an adjective which describes the fruit of the plant as "inflated", "bladder-like".[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Rumex vesicarius". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. ^ Linnaeus, C. (1753) Species Plantarum 1: 336
  3. ^ a b c d "Rumex vesicarius L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  4. ^ Western Australian Herbarium, Biodiversity and Conservation Science. "Rumex vesicarius: FloraBase—the Western Australian Flora". florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Rumex vesicarius". biodiversity.org.au. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Acetosa vesicaria: Flora of Victoria". vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Acetosa vesicaria (NT Flora)". eflora.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  8. ^ "vesicarius,-a,-um". www.plantillustrations.org. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
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