Common Name: Spinach Rhubarb

General Information

Rumex abyssinicus is a large, very stout, herbaceous perennial plant growing up to 4 metres tall.
The edible leaves and stems are gathered from the wild for local use. The plant also has medicinal uses and yields a dye. It is occasionally cultivated in parts of Africa in order to obtain the dye[].

Known Hazards

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. Perfectly alright in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since the oxalic acid can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - mainly in the drier areas from Nigeria to Ethiopia, south to Angola, Zambia and Mozambique.

Habitat

Grassland, margin of rain-forest and secondary bushland, fallow fields, cultivation, waste places along water; pioneer; at elevations from 400 - 3,300 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of mainly higher elevations, from 750 - 3,300 metres, in the tropics. In Tanzania, the plant thrives on volcanic soils and sandy loams, where the mean annual rainfall is 1,100 - 2,200mm[].
Succeeds in most soils but prefers a deep fertile moderately heavy soil that is humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained and a position in full-sun or part shade[].
Removing the flowering stem, before it can flower, increases the yield of leaves[].

Edible Uses

Tender young shoots and leaves - raw or cooked[, , ]. An acid flavour, they are widely used as a vegetable, either cooked alone or together with other vegetables[]. They are also eaten raw as a snack[, ].

The stem is chewed like sugar cane for its sweetness[].

A dye obtained from the rhizome is used in butter as a condiment, to give it a rich yellow colour and also as a protection against rancidity[].

Medicinal

The plant is often used in traditional medicine in Africa. There has been some research into the medicinal properties of the plant and a number of medically active compounds have been found.
The roots have been shown to possess antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, and anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandin[].
The plant has strong antiviral activity against Coxsackie virus and influenza A virus[]. In vitro it demonstrated proliferation of murine macrophage cells, suggesting that it may have a role in improving the immune system of the body and in the process of wound healing by promoting regeneration of epithelial cells[].

The plant is astringent, depurative and haemostatic. It is used to treat jaundice and related liver diseases; scrofula; stomach-ache; neckache; and low blood pressure[]. The sap of the aerial parts is applied as a treatment for pneumonia and cough[].
Applied externally, the plant is used fresh or dried to treat wounds, sores and parts affected by scabies[]. A leaf-compress is applied to areas of rheumatism[].

The rhizome is used as a purgative and taenifuge[]. An extract of the rhizome is taken to control mild forms of diabetes and, with water, to cure stomach-ache[].
The root sap is applied as a treatment against scabies[]. The pounded rhizomes and roots are applied as a poultice on wounds[, ].

The stem and rhizome are believed to be galactagogue[].

Other Uses

A yellow and a red dye can be obtained from the rhizome[]. It is used for colouring wickerwork and mats of grass and raffia, and also to impart a red colour to the feet and hands of women[].

The crushed plants are used to scour clean cooking pots that have been blackened over the fire, and also to remove grease[, ]. Leaves of various Rumex species are very good at removing dirty oil from the skin - simply crush the leaves to release the sap and rub them over the dirty area[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring.

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