POLYGONxiCE^. 53 



SPECIES XII.— R UMEX ALPINUS. Linn, 

 Plate MCCXXI. 



Leaves thin, the radical ones roundish or roundish-ovate, deeply 

 cordate, obtuse, repand and nearly flat at the margins ; lower and middle 

 stem leaves similar to the radical ones, but smaller, more ovate, and on 

 shorter stalks ; those at the base of the whorls not cordate ; the upper- 

 most ones lanceolate, shortly stalked. Branches of the panicle erect, 

 leafless, except at the very base. Pedicels nearly twice as long as the 

 fruit petals, articulated a little below the middle, spreading nearly all 

 round the stem. Flowers monoecious. Fruit petals ovate, Avedgeshaped- 

 truncate at the base, obtuse, entire or faintly denticulate, rather faintly 

 reticulated ; all nearly equal and without any tubercle, the midrib, even 

 at the base, being scarcely more prominent than the other veins. 



In pastures, and by the sides of streams and roads in hilly districts. 

 Rare, and doubtless the remains of ancient cultivation. Near One Ash 

 Grange, Derbyshire, in Dumfriesshire, Dumbartonshire, Perthshire, 

 Clackmannanshire, and Fifeshire. 



[England, Scotland.] Perennial. Summer. 



Rootstock very thick. Radical leaves 6 to 15 inches long, and 

 nearly as broad, somewhat like those of rhubarb. Panicle very dense, 

 fusiform, and bearing much resemblance to that of R. domesticus. 

 Fruit petals ^ to ^ inch long, pale olive, membranous. Nut ^ inch 

 long, broadly lanceolate-triquetrous, yellowish-grey, smooth, and 

 shining. Plant light green ; the stems and petioles generally tinged 

 with red. 



Monk's Rhubarb. 



French, Patience des Aljpes. German, Gelirgs-Amjifer. 



This species of dock seems to have had an ancient reputation as a medicine, and is 

 also, according to Gerard, " an excellent wholesome potherb." He gives a prescription, 

 consisting of the roots of ]\Ionk's rhubarb, red madder, senna, anise, and liquorice, 

 with strong ale, which he extols as a remedy for most bodily ailments. Several 

 species have been used medicinally ; but this was a favourite plant in the gardens of 

 monasteries, and its root has in some degree the properties of Turkey rhubarb. It is 

 mentioned by Tusser in 1573 as being then cultivated in England, and was said to be 

 an invaluable remedy for the ague. Culpepper says, " All docks being boyled with 

 meat, make it boyl the sooner ; besides, they procure good blood. Yet such is the 

 nicety of our times, forsooth, that women will not put it in the pot, because it makes 

 the pottage black ; Pride and Ignorance (a couple of monsters in the creation) 

 preferring nicety before health." 



