Rumex vesicarius

Rumex vesicarius, also known as ruby dock,^[4] rosy dock^[5] or bladder dock,^[5] 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.^[6]

Rumex vesicarius
Cultivar
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Polygonaceae
Genus:	Rumex
Species:	R. vesicarius
Binomial name
Rumex vesicarius L.[1][2]
Synonyms[3]
Acetosa vesicaria (L.) Á.Löve Lapathum vesicarium (L.) Moench Rumex americanus Campd. Rumex bolosii Stübing, Peris & Romo Rumex clementii Domin

Description

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,^[7] with entire margins.^[8] 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,^[8] giving rise to spectacular displays.^[7]

Etymology

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".^[9]

Popular culture

The plant appears in the children's story book The Story of Rosy Dock by Jeannie Baker. The collage picture book uses the arrival and naturalisation of the rosy dock to draw on themes of colonisation and sustainability for children.^[10]