curly dock
(Rumex crispus L.)

Overview

Appearance

Rumex crispus is a perennial herb with erect flowering stems 11.8-63 in. (30-160 cm) in length.

Foliage

Basal leaves up to 15.7 in. (40 cm) x 4.3 in. (11 cm), lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate in shape. Upper Cauline leaves are less crisped than basal leaves, with petioles up to 2.4 in. (6 cm) in length. Leaf margins of cauline leaves vary from nearly flat to strongly crisped.

Flowers

Flowers are crowded in whorls which are usually distinct except towards the ends of branches. Perianth segments are orbicular-deltoid in shape are green colored at flowering but become brown.

Fruit

The fruit is 0.14-0.24 in. (3.5-6 mm) x 0.12-0.24 in. (3-6 mm) and is enclosed within inner perianth segments. Margin of fruit is entire or minutely denticulate.

Ecological Threat

Rumex crispus is found in grasslands, pastures and arable land. It is native to Africa, temperate and tropical Asia and Europe.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• California Invasive Plant Council
• City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
• Iowa Noxious Weeds
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• Michigan Noxious Weeds
• National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
• Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References