''Rumex skottsbergii'', or more commonly known as lava dock, is a shrub of the genus ''

Rumex The docks and sorrels, genus ''Rumex'', are a genus of about 200 species of annual, biennial, and perennial herbs in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. Members of this genus are very common perennial herbs with a native almost worldwide distribu ...

''. The genus comprises approximately 200 species all derived from a single species and are therefore monophyletic. Furthermore, ''Rumex skottsbergii'' is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...

, where it is known as . 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 The docks and sorrels, genus ''Rumex'', are a genus of about 200 species of annual, biennial, and perennial herbs in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. Members of this genus are very common perennial herbs with a native almost worldwide distrib ...

''. 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 .

Description

''Rumex skottsbergii'' can be identified through their green, narrow, compact inflorescences, erect nature and small leaves. Their stems are usually stiffly erect with 7-10dm long and glabrous. ''Rumex skottsbergii'' can also be identified through their unisexual flowers and medium-sized yellowish greenish branched inflorescences; their outer tepals are also a distinguishable trait found within this genus.''
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Distribution

''Rumex skottsbergii'' are found in Hawaii and are species that flourish in low elevation and open lava fields.

Uses

''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.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q781690 skottsbergii Endemic flora of Hawaii Plants described in 1971 Flora without expected TNC conservation status