It is a member of the Polygonaceae (buckwheat or dock) family. Yellow dock has, in fact, been used medicinally (for a number of ailments) for ages, which is why many prefer to refer to it as an "herb." Identification difficulty level: novice Curly dock, Latin name: Rumex crispus, is an excellent wild plant to know. [1], Species of flowering plant in the family Polygonaceae. But it is easy to tell the two apart: True to its name, the broadleaf type has bottom, or "basal" leaves that are very wide (4 inches across, versus 1 inch across for yellow dock plants). [9], In George Eliot's Adam Bede, set in the early 19th century, broad dock leaves were used to wrap farmhouse butter. Genus Rumex falls into the Polygonaceae. The bottom leaves can be quite long, ranging from 1/2 foot to 1 foot in length. Exotic species include Curled Dock (R. crispus), Clustered Dock (R. conglomeratus), Fiddle Dock (R. pulcher) and Broad-leaf Dock (R. obtusifolius). "The Names of Plants". The condition of the ocrea can be a good indicator of how tender and tasty that dock plant is. [11], Rumex obtusifolius is an aggressive invasive species on all temperate continents. In more detail, the calyx of curly dock has smooth margins while the calyx of broad-leaved dock has horned margins. The leaves are fairly thick and the stems can get a tinge of red, especially in cold weather. Bitter dock — also called broad-leaved dock — has leaves which are fairly “flat” across the surface. Flower spikes have numerous clusters of reddish-brown flowers. The flowers are small, green and numerous, arranged in whorled spikes at the ends of the stem. This curious plant belongs to the buckwheat family, which is identified by the nodes that punctuate the plants' stems (an even clearer example being those found on Japanese knotweed). This is called the ocrea, and it turns brown as the plant ages. [1] It has been an invasive species of the Great Lakes region of North America where it was first sighted in 1840. Dock, Rumex crispus, appears in the garden in large spreading groups, and is characterised by coarse, battered leaves. Curly dock, a perennial broadleaf plant, usually grows in wet areas and is frequently associated with overwatering or standing water in low areas. It usually requires the presence of the perianth for species identification but this is usually removed during processing in commercial grain lots. Below is a list of wild edible plants that you can use when living off the land. The leaves of most dock plants are long and narrow, and the plants are most easily identified by their distinctive seed stalks. Gledhill, David (2008). Quinlan, S.E., and S. Cuccarese. In the spring, the greens are edible and in the fall the plant produces buckwheat like grain that can be ground into wild foraged flour. Powderham Castle … Rumex obtusifolius, commonly known as bitter dock, broad-leaved dock, bluntleaf dock, dock leaf or butter dock, is a perennial plant in the family Polygonaceae. Plant taxonomy classifies yellow dock as Rumex crispus. This plant blooms June through September. [1][6] Seedlings can be identified by the oval leaves with red stems and rolled leaves sprouting from the center of the plant. Flowers. Segments in the outer whorl are small and spreading while the inner whorl forms fruit valves, which are widely ovately-triangular. [1] It is a plant growing readily on arable land, meadows, waste ground, roadsides, ditches, shorelines and riverbanks, woodland margins, forest clearings, and orchards. It is considered a broadleaf, perennial "weed," "wildflower," or "herb," depending on your perspective. But it is mainly the plant's root, rather than its leaves, that has been used in folk medicine. [1], The name, Rumex obtusifolius, was assigned by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, and has remained unchanged, although there are numerous subspecies. Bitter dock is a perennial herbaceous plant that is found in many countries. [12], Various parasites and predators of R. obtusifolius include 32 insect species and 12 fungi species. Small, greenish white flowers appear on tall spikes. & Nam, S.-H., 2006. ... More Content from Plant Identification Plant Identification. This rosette-forming plant is easily grown as an annual or perennial in sun to partial shade and can even be used in a water garden. That is the color of the dried flower-head in fall. Vibrant Green Backlit Dock Leaves (Rumex obtusifolius L.) Growing by a Field. The leaves of Asiatic dock (R. confertus) are just as wide, if not wider. Rumex obtusifolius, commonly known as bitter dock,[1][2] broad-leaved dock, bluntleaf dock, dock leaf or butter dock, is a perennial plant in the family Polygonaceae. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. It is native to Europe, but is found on all temperate continents. Ecological and morphological characteristics of the endoparasitoids of larval, "Home remedies: dock leaves for nettle stings", "List of Invasive species in the Great Lakes Great Lakes United / Union Saint-Laurent Grands Lacs", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rumex_obtusifolius&oldid=988538738, Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from September 2019, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 13 November 2020, at 20:03. Most species are common and widespread. The seed stalks start out green but quickly turn to … [8] This home remedy is not supported by any science, although it is possible that the act of rubbing may act as a distracting counterstimulation, or that belief in the dock's effect may provide a placebo effect. Regrowth from the rosette usually takes place in spring. The plant reaches as much as 4 feet tall at maturity. [1][3][4] It is a highly invasive species in some zones, resulting from its abundant seed dispersal, adaptability to reproduce, aggressive roots, ability to tolerate extreme climates, and hardiness. There are 34 species of dock present in Canada, of which 20 are native and 14 are introduced (Brouillet et al. The perianth-segments are in two whorls of three. Yellow dock flowers are green and sometimes a touch of red. Image courtesy of Matthew Naedel. [1] In the UK, the invertebrate herbivore species is a leaf beetle, Gastrophysa viridula. Fortunately, Rumex crispus, a home remedy for such skin irritation, often grows near stinging nettle. Broadleaf Dock. The pedicels are jointed; include both … In some states of the U.S., yellow dock is considered an invasive plant. It is considered a broadleaf, perennial "weed," "wildflower," or "herb," depending on your perspective. For A. rumicis research, this host plant is generally targeted because it is found highly within the moth's range. Common names are from state and federal lists. The stem leaves are alternate and are narrowly ovate–lanceolate. In fact, the common name, "yellow dock" refers to the yellowish color often found inside the root, when it is sliced open. A tea prepared from the root was thought to cure boils. [citation needed] Dried seeds are used as a spice. If you are going to try to dig it out, you must dig deep, so as to remove the whole root; otherwise, as a perennial weed, the plant will re-emerge. Broad-leaved dock is a tall plant with very large, wavy-edged, oblong leaves that have red stems on their undersides. Broad-leaved dock can be differentiated from other genus Rumex plants by its broad, blunt leaves. Bitter dock (Rumex obtusifolius) Curly dock — also called curled dock — has leaves with lots of “ruffles” across the leaf and along the edges. Butter Dock. It provides food for at least 6-9 months, and year-round in some climates. Wild dock species are native all around the world. Stems become stiff and woody as the plant matures. Plants may be poisonous to livestock when ingested in quantity. Those of you aware of the challenges involved in dandelion control will understand this problem. Blooming occurs in clusters in the form of multiple, long, skinny flower stalks at the top of the plant. If you have a serious amount of them outcompeting other plant species, stop ploughing and using heavy agricultural machinery on the land because it's that that's causing the dock overgrowth! It doesn’t have a showy flower and the leaves can look kind of generic. They contain oxalic acid which can be hazardous if consumed in large quantities. R. obtusifoliushas long, broad, oval- to lance-shaped leaves with small greenish flowers that turn red as they mature. [1] It is easily recognizable by its very large oval leaves with cordate bases and rounded tips, some of the lower leaves having red stems. They can be eaten either raw (when young and tender) or steamed. Members of this genus are very common perennial herbs with a native almost worldwide distribution, and introduced species growing in the few places where the genus is not native. Rumex crispus produces a long taproot. For the same reason, while the leaves are edible, it is best to avoid eating them in large quantities. Botanical Classification for Yellow Dock Plants, Home Remedy Against Rash From Stinging Nettles, Common Backyard Plants That Are Poisonous to Dogs. [1] Broad-leaved dock is designated an "injurious weed" under the UK Weeds Act 1959. It often tolerates poor, disturbed soils and is frequently found along roadsides, although it prefers to grow in rich, loamy soils in full sun and with adequate water. One of the best survival greens is wild dock. Curly dock ( Rumex crispus , also called yellow dock) is one of those plants that is easily overlooked. You will need to have all the parts of a plant and to select plants with mature fruit to identify most species of Rumex that occur in our area. This makes curly dock one of the easier plants for beginners to identify. The tap root can be up to 90cm (3ft) in length. Dover Publications. It spreads via seed produced by tiny brownish-green flowers, which appear in abundance in summer and are loved by seed-eating birds. The root grows large and deep, and it can be harvested for potent herbal medicine anytime. Find out … A related weed can also grow to be as much as 4 feet tall: bitter, or "broadleaf" dock (Rumex obtusifolius). If your skin has ever brushed up against stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) while you were working in the garden, you know about the burning sensation caused by their spines, followed by an itchy rash. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. [1] The leaves of this plant can grow to about 30 cm (12 in) in length and 15 centimetres (5.9 in) wide. Indigenous to Europe, Rumex crispus has become naturalized across much of the world. The inflorescence consists of large clusters of racemes which contain small greenish flowers that change to red as they mature. 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