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Rumex skottsbergii
Lava dock (Rumex skottsbergii, pāwale) is a small erect shrub endemic to Hawaii that grows in open lava fields at low elevations. It is a dock in the buckwheat family, grown mainly for its native and ecological interest rather than as a common garden plant.
Rumex skottsbergii, or more commonly known as lava dock, is a shrub of the genus Rumex. The genus comprises approximately 200 species all derived from a single species and are therefore monophyletic. Furthermore, Rumex skottsbergii is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known as pāwale. Pāwale are commonly found in open lava fields that are at low elevations which range from 460-1300m. A similar plant in this genus is Rumex giganteus. Their similarity lies between their erect nature and leaves. However, the difference lies in their inflorescences. The inflorescences is described as being a cluster of flowers from the main stem axis .
Rumex skottsbergii are found in Hawaii and are species that flourish in low elevation and open lava fields.
Rumex skottsbergii was used for medicinal purposes and was used to treat a childhood's diseases known as pāʻaoʻao and constipation. The childhood disease would cause physical weakening.
Abyssinian Dock · Sorrel · Sheep's Sorrel · Munk's rhubarb · Pale dock · Rumex andinus · Scottish Dock · Arctic dock · Azorean Dock · Bering Sea dock · Pale dock · Hooked Dock
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Rumex skottsbergii by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.
