#dock leaf

Yellow autumn and green dock leaves and only a small part of an immense group of Greylag Geese at Lakeside Country Park on lunch time and evening walks and dandelion seed head out the front 24/10/2025. It was such a fulfilling and immersive experience seeing so many greylags on the lake, grass beside it and flying over this evening with their evocative honks. These birds have a feral population in the south but seeing them like this was reminiscent of watching migratory Brent Geese and other species as they gather in large flocks at the coast in winter.

Plants of Redwall - The Dock Leaf

Common Names: Broad-leafed Dock or Bitter Dock

Latin Name: Rumex obtusifolius

Nicknames: Knotweed, Dock Leaf, Butter Dock, Bluntleaf Dock

Habitat: The Dock Leaf is native to Europe, but it can now be found on multiple continents across the world. Included in that list are the United States, parts of Canada, and Greenland. It has the capacity to thrive in a multitude of climates and under varying soil conditions.

Description: The Dock Leaf is a perennial flowering plant with broad, spatula-shaped leaves (or elongated, spear-shaped leaves, depending on the species). The plant is in flower from June to October, whilst seeds ripen from July to October.

Use: The leaves of the Dock Leaf plant may be cooked or dried for later use. The seed may be eaten raw or cooked, and when ground may be used to make a kind of gruel; ground Dock Leaf seeds may also be added to flour when making bread. Though widely contested, the Dock Leaf is said to retain the ability to soothe burns, blisters, or scalds when applied externally. The roots of the Dock Leaf plant contain tannin, an astringent and blood purifier. At one point, the roots of the Dock Leaf are documented as having been used as a contraceptive. In addition, one may obtain dyes, ranging in color from yellow to dark green to brown and dark grey, by processing the roots of the Dock Leaf plant.

Parts Used: Leaves, seeds, and stem.

Appearance in Redwall: Dock leaves star as a natural, multipurpose tool within the Redwallverse. They have been well-documented as being used as a go-to bandage for traveling creatures. They are often combined with a healer's poultice or salve and bound around a wound or injury. Dock leaves have also been mentioned as having been used as napkins or handkerchiefs. Friar Hugo, head of Redwall's kitchens in Redwall and Mattimeo, was said to have constantly carried a dock leaf in the curl of his tail in the latter book; he used the leaf to fan himself whilst braving the heat of the ovens. Interestingly, dock leaves were used to describe the width of the battle blade belonging to Lord Brocktree.

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Sources:

- Dock Leaf Information: [x], [x]