Arizona Dock (rumex hymenosepalus) — Image by kenne
The reddish-pink inflorescence of rumex, Arizona Dock, also called Wild Rhubarb, consists of elongated clusters of many dozen small flowers, each formed of small sepals about half an inch long.
Wild rhubarb was once cultivated in the southwestern United States for the roots, a good source of tannin, used for tanning leather. The roots also yield a warm, medium brown dye for natural fibers like wool and cotton. But when it comes to savoring – the leaves and leaf stalks are considered edible when young. Use leaves and tender young stems in salads or cook like spinach. Older shoots can be cooked and eaten like rhubarb, e.g., rhubarb pie.
— kenne
