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Common name: Nepal Dock • Manipuri: Torongkhongchak • Tamil: Sukkankeerai • Bengali: Pahari palang • Assamese: Pahari palang
Botanical name: Rumex nepalensis Family: Polygonaceae (Knotweed family)
This plant grows abundantly in many parts of India, and is used by the natives for its astringent qualities, and for dyeing purposes. These are erect plants with long tap roots. The fleshy to leathery leaves form a basal rosette at the root. The basal leaves may be different from those near the inflorescence. The inconspicuous flowers are carried above the leaves in whorl-like clusters. The fertile flowers are mostly hermaphrodite, or they can be functionally male or female. The flowers and seeds grow on long clusters at the top of a stalk emerging from the basal rosette. Each seed is an 3-sided achene. Plants can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, which is what gives the leaves of many members of this genus an acid-lemon flavour.
Medicinal uses: Leaf extract is applied to skin sores. Leaf infusion is given in in colic and applied to syphiliitic ulcers. Leaves are rubbed on the affected part for relief from irritation caused by Bichchhoo plant.
| Photographed in Imphal, Manipur. |
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