Rumex arcticus, commonly known as Arctic Dock or Sourdock, is a perennial herb that is part of the buckwheat family and is native to the Arctic and subarctic regions, including Alaska, Northern Canada, and parts of Northern Europe and Asia. It typically grows in moist tundra habitats, wet meadows, and along streambanks. Arctic Dock reaches a modest height of up to 24 inches (60 cm) and has broad, lanceolate leaves that are rich in vitamin C. The plant produces small, greenish or reddish flowers during the brief Arctic summer, which are not particularly showy but are followed by distinctive winged fruits.

Arctic Dock is valued for its edible leaves, which are harvested in spring and early summer before the plant flowers, when they are most tender and least bitter. The leaves are often used in traditional dishes such as akutaq, also known as Eskimo ice cream, which is a mixture of berries, fish, and reindeer fat. In cultivation, Arctic Dock requires moist soil conditions and can tolerate partial shade, making it suitable for bog gardens or areas with cool, damp soils. While not commonly grown in gardens, it can be an interesting addition to ethnobotanical collections or educational gardens. It is a low-maintenance plant, but it can be susceptible to leaf spot diseases in wet conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0