Quick facts
| Arabic name | الحميض |
|---|---|
| English name | Humaidh (Bladder Dock) |
| Scientific name | Rumex vesicarius |
| Family | Knotweed family (Polygonaceae) |
| Plant type | Annual wild herb |
| Height | Usually 20 to 40 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to December
It grows by itself after winter rain Harvest time
January to March
Young leaves are collected after rainJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
Fleshy oval leaves, small flowers, and puffy winged pink-red fruits.
Where it grows
Grows after rain in the Northern Borders and Al-Jouf.
Soil
Sandy and gravel soil.
Water and irrigation
Lives on rain.
Climate and light
Mild spring.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Eaten fresh for its sour taste
- Grazing for animals
Drawbacks
- Contains oxalic acid, so do not eat a lot, especially with kidney stones
- Short season
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Rumex vesicarius
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Rumex vesicarius
- Wikipedia: Rumex vesicarius
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)