Rumex hymenosepalus
Encyclopedia
Rumex hymenosepalus, commonly known as canaigre, ganagra, wild rhubarb, Arizona dock, or tanner's dock, is a perennial
flowering plant
which is native to the United States
and Mexico
. It has been cultivated in the southwestern United States as the roots are a good source of tannin
, for use in leather tanning. It is also a source of a mustard-colored dye.
The plant is adapted to very dry environments. The leaf is waxy and ridged so that water from light, misty rain collects along a central vein and filters down to the taproot
. Scientists call this process the plant's method of "self-irrigating".
(all from Tropicos ).
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
flowering plant
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
which is native to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. It has been cultivated in the southwestern United States as the roots are a good source of tannin
Tannin
A tannin is an astringent, bitter plant polyphenolic compound that binds to and precipitates proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids.The term tannin refers to the use of...
, for use in leather tanning. It is also a source of a mustard-colored dye.
The plant is adapted to very dry environments. The leaf is waxy and ridged so that water from light, misty rain collects along a central vein and filters down to the taproot
Taproot
A taproot is an enlarged, somewhat straight to tapering plant root that grows vertically downward. It forms a center from which other roots sprout laterally.Plants with taproots are difficult to transplant...
. Scientists call this process the plant's method of "self-irrigating".
Synonyms
- Rumex arizonicus Britton
- Rumex salinus A.Nelson
- Rumex hymenosepalus var. salinus (A. Nelson) Rech.
- Rumex saxei Kellogg
(all from Tropicos ).