2017

TG3104 : Seeding broad-leaved dock

taken 7 years ago, near to Rockland st Mary, Norfolk, England

Seeding broad-leaved dock
Seeding broad-leaved dock
Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is one of the five injurious weeds named in the 1959 Weeds Act and is very frequently seen in pasture land. Its toxic component is calcium oxalate, which can irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing difficulties, burning pain, and stomach upset. As oxalates in plants preferentially bind to calcium in the body, regular ingestion in small amounts can lead to calcium deficiency and to the build up of kidney stones if the calcium oxalate formed is not excreted. Due to its unpleasant taste it is, however, not a plant that is regularly consumed. Another name for Broad-leaved dock used to be butter dock because its large leaves were used to wrap and conserve butter.

Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) the yellow-flowering plant seen here, contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are hepatotoxic and can cause complete liver failure. There is, however, no evidence that ragwort causes harm by contact or inhalation, and in fact very little evidence of harm to humans except for those with pre-existing liver damage. Ragwort may be more of a problem for livestock and especially horses, as it retains its toxicity even when dried and can lead to fatal poisoning in horses if contained in the hay they are being fed. Other compounds in ragwort that can produce contact dermatitis. For this reason, the wearing of gloves is advised when removing the plant.

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Evelyn Simak and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Wild Animals, Plants and Mushrooms
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Ragwort and Dock [7] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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TG3104, 114 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Evelyn Simak   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Saturday, 29 July, 2017   (more nearby)
Submitted
Saturday, 29 July, 2017
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TG 3185 0479 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:35.4854N 1:25.2920E
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TG 3197 0481
View Direction
WEST (about 270 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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