Rumex patientia (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia
Introduction

Protologue: Sp. pl. 1: 333 (1753).

Family: Polygonaceae

Distribution

Native to central Europe and East Asia, but naturalized in the highlands of many tropical countries.

In Java, occasionally cultivated as a vegetable, but it could be used medicinally as well.

A perennial herb, 1-2 m tall.
Basal leaves ovate-lanceolate, base rounded to narrowed, margin slightly undulate or not.
Inflorescence a panicle; flowers bisexual, inner perianth segments enlarged in fruit, orbicular, 6-10 mm long, base subcordate, often denticulate, only one valve with a well developed tubercle.
Nutlet 3-4 mm long.

In Java, R. patientia is occasionally found as an escape from cultivation, up to 2550 m altitude.

[74] Backer, C.A. & Bakhuizen van den Brink Jr, R.C., 1964—1968. Flora of Java. 3 volumes. Noordhoff, Groningen, the Netherlands. Vol. 1 (1964) 647 pp., Vol. 2 (1965) 641 pp., Vol. 3 (1968) 761 pp.
[647] Mansfeld, R., 1986. Verzeichnis landwirtschaftlicher und gärtnerischer Kulturpflanzen (ohne Zierpflanzen) [Register of agricultural and horticultural plants in cultivation (without ornamentals)]. Schultze-Motel, J. et al. (Editors). 2nd Edition. 4 volumes. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Germany. 1998 pp.
[696] Morton, J.F., 1981. Atlas of medicinal plants of Middle America. Bahamas to Yucatan. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, United States. 1420 pp.
[914] Siemonsma, J.S. & Kasem Piluek (Editors), 1993. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 8. Vegetables. Pudoc Scientific Publishers, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 412 pp.