Some plants from northeastern Eurasia (northeastern Russian Far East and northern Siberia) are known in Russian literature as Rumex aureostigmaticus Komarov [Acetosella aureostigmatica (Komarov) Tzvelev], R. acetosella var. subspathulatus Trautvetter, or R. graminifolius var. subspathulatus (Trautvetter) Tolmatchew (see A. I. Tolmachew 1966; N. N. Tzvelev 1989b). They differ from R. graminifolius in having narrower inner tepals and wider spatulate leaves, usually without basal lobes. I have seen only one North American collection approaching this entity. Some specimens (mostly immature or staminate plants) from western Alaska differ from both R. graminifolius and R. beringensis in their habit; they need additional study. Some chromosome counts different from the most typical number (2n = 56) that have been reported for R. graminifolius in the broad sense from northeastern Russian Far East by several Russian authors (see references in Tzvelev) most probably also refer to R. aureostigmaticus. It is also possible that arctic and subarctic plants identified by various authors as R. aureostigmaticus, R. acetosella var. subspathulatus, R. graminifolius var. subspathulatus, and R. acetosella subsp. arenicola belong to one polymorphic complex of plants intermediate between R. acetosella and R. graminifolius.
Rumex graminifolius, common name grassleaf sorrel,[2] is a species of the genus Rumex and the knotweed family Polygonaceae.
Rumex graminifolius is a slender perennial plant that grows from 0.1 m to 0.5 m high, with roots that run right below the surface, as well as a skinny stems and edible pointy, flat leaves. The leaves, when consumed raw, have a bitter taste. The lower leaves have 4 to 6 centimeters in length with long petioles and a membranous ocrea formed of fused, sheathing stipules. The upper ones are inflorescences, flowers and frequently become a bright reddish color. It has whorled spikes of reddish-green flowers, which bloom in late spring-summer.[4]
Rumex graminifolius is found is arctic regions and costal rocks throughout Northern North America, Alaska and North Europe. It can grow in acid, neutral and basic soils yet prefers moist soil. It can also grow in semi-shade or no shade.[5]
Rudolph, Johann Heinrich. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 10(2): 264, pl. 10. 1811. (7 Sept 1811)[6]
This species is generally used as food plants by the larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species, and are the only host plants of Lycaena rubidus.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Rumex graminifolius, common name grassleaf sorrel, is a species of the genus Rumex and the knotweed family Polygonaceae.
