4Real Forums: What is a dock leaf? (Redwall-related)

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Topic: What is a dock leaf? (Redwall-related)

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stefoodie
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Posted: July 27 2005 at 1:14pm \| IP Logged

My kids are big Redwall fans. My 9-yo has a book called The Tribes of Redwall Badgers, and in it there's a quiz that asks

How wide is Lord Brocktree's battle sword?

The answer is "as wide as two dock leaves".

So 9-yo wants to know how big dock leaves are and what they look like. I looked up "dock" online and I *think* the scientific name is Rumex, however there are several cultivars. Anyone have any idea which "dock leaves" would match? (If it helps, Lord Brocktree is a badger.)

Thanks!

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stef

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Kathryn UK
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Posted: July 27 2005 at 4:00pm \| IP Logged

Stef, dock is a common British wild plant. The leaves vary in size, but I'd guess they are typically about 4 to 6 inches wide. Nature lore recommends it as an antidote to nettle stings - we don't have poison ivy here but we do have nettles, which are widespread and sting unpleasantly if you touch them. I'm not sure whether there is any scientific basis for the idea that rubbing a nettle sting with a dock leaf alleviates the pain, but it makes stung children feel better

. Also, dock typically grows close to nettles, so is usually conveniently to hand! You can see a picture here.

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MacBeth
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Posted: July 28 2005 at 8:22am \| IP Logged

I have Dock in my yard, and the leaves are big enough to wrap a small child

. Well, maybe not that big...

The roots of the yellow dock make great soup thickener. The young greens are quite good too, but you have to get them early. Come on over, Stef, and I'll show you some!

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stefoodie
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Posted: July 28 2005 at 6:28pm \| IP Logged

thanks kathryn and macbeth! i think i have dock in my yard too, now that you've given me the info! i just have to make sure, but i'm pretty sure those were the seeds i saw on a plant near my strawberries. i hope the boy that mows hasn't cut it down. will check tomorrow:D --wahoo, free food in our yard!

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stef

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