Perennial. Stem erect, repeatedly branching from the middle into a dense panicle with lower branches fasciculate. Leaves slightly fleshy when alive, pale green; basal leaves oblong-lanceolate, about 3-4 times longer than broad, 20-30 cm long, grossly undualte or nearly flat; base truncate or broadly cuneate, rarely subcordate; apex acute; petiole shorter than the leaf blade; stem leaves gradually smaller upwards, narrower, with shorter petiole. Flower whorls many-flowered, all except the lowest congested. Pedicels filiform, articulate at middle of their length, about twice as long as the valve. External perianth segments about as long as half the breadth of the valves, appressed with their base. Valves much variable in size and outline (see subspecies), pale brown, membranous, finely reticulate with entire or subentire margin, the anterior only or all unequally calliferous. Nut 3-4 mm long, brown, broadest below the middle.

Distribution: Wide spread over the warmer parts of Eastern Europe and Asia, occasionally introduced and sometimes established elsewhere.

Two subspecies have been found in Pakistan.

Lower Taxa

• Rumex patientia subsp. pamiricus (Rech. f.) Rech. f.
• Rumex patientia subsp. tibeticus (Rech. f.) Rech. f.