dock plant identification

Bitter dock (Rumex obtusifolius) Curly dock — also called curled dock — has leaves with lots of “ruffles” across the leaf and along the edges. Regrowth from the rosette usually takes place in spring. Wild Dock Wild Onions Wild Rice Wild Wheat Wood Ear Mushroom Wood Sorrel Yaupon. Bitter dock — also called broad-leaved dock — has leaves which are fairly “flat” across the surface. Aptly named bloody dock for its distinctive red veins, this herbaceous plant originates in the Mediterranean. Cambridge University Press. Just roll a leaf of yellow dock between your thumb and forefinger to crush it, then doctor your wound with the juicy pulp left over, and the burning will subside. 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). The calyx of the ripe fruit is helpful (and often necessary) to identify the plant. [citation needed], Rumex obtusifolius is widely distributed throughout the world. Broad-leaved dock is a tall plant with very large, wavy-edged, oblong leaves that have red stems on their undersides. It’s unfortunate that peopl Broadleaf Dock. [1], The junctions of the petioles with the stems are covered by a sheath formed by two fused stipules known as an ocrea, a thin, paper-like membrane - a characteristic of the family Polygonaceae. It is a member of the Polygonaceae (buckwheat or dock) family. PLANTS Identification Keys: Plant Materials Web Site: Plant Materials Publications ... hybrid dock Rumex albescens Oahu dock Rumex ×alexidis [maritimus ... American wildlife and plants: A guide to wildlife food habits. In some states of the U.S., yellow dock is considered an invasive plant. Image courtesy of the Jack Harper slide collection. This plant has a long taproot that enables it survive long drought periods and out competes other vegetation. But it is mainly the plant's root, rather than its leaves, that has been used in folk medicine. Other dock species common in New Zealand: Curled dock (Rumex crispus) Similar to broad-leaved dock except for its leaves which are narrower, with crinkled edges, leaves tapered towards tip and base. Broadleaf Dock. Exotic species include Curled Dock (R. crispus), Clustered Dock (R. conglomeratus), Fiddle Dock (R. pulcher) and Broad-leaf Dock (R. obtusifolius). One of the best survival greens is wild dock. Blooming occurs in clusters in the form of multiple, long, skinny flower stalks at the top of the plant. 2004. & Nam, S.-H., 2006. You have to love the texture of this dried flower spike: If you grab the coarse brown spike and slide your hand along it, you will come away with a handful of small, crispy flakes (the seeds and dried sepals). Butter Dock. Rumex crispus Distinguishing Features. The docks and sorrels, genus Rumex, are a genus of about 200 species of annual, biennial, and perennial herbs in the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. Identification difficulty level: novice Curly dock, Latin name: Rumex crispus, is an excellent wild plant to know. Small, greenish white flowers appear on tall spikes. This is called the ocrea, and it turns brown as the plant ages. [1] Broad-leaved dock is designated an "injurious weed" under the UK Weeds Act 1959. 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. The pedicels are jointed; include both … 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. It provides food for at least 6-9 months, and year-round in some climates. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. [1][6] Seedlings can be identified by the oval leaves with red stems and rolled leaves sprouting from the center of the plant. The inflorescence consists of large clusters of racemes which contain small greenish flowers that change to red as they mature. It's fairly easy to identify, and grows abundantly throughout all of non-Arctic North America. 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). The leaves of Asiatic dock (R. confertus) are just as wide, if not wider. 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. Many weeds are obscure plants that are easy to miss, but yellow dock is a weed that stands out. Broad-leaved dock can be differentiated from other genus Rumex plants by its broad, blunt leaves. dock. [6], Rumex crispus - curly dock - is similar in appearance, but with thinner and wave-like leaves. Rumex crispus produces a long taproot. Its toxicity is due to its oxalic acid content. [1] In the UK, the invertebrate herbivore species is a leaf beetle, Gastrophysa viridula. Genus Rumex falls into the Polygonaceae. 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. Native species include Slender Dock (Rumex brownii), Wiry Dock (R. dumosus), Mud Dock (R. bidens) and Glistening Dock (R. crystallinus). Broad-leaved dock ( Rumex obtusifolius) is a long lived perennial with a basal rosette of long-stalked, smooth ovate-oblong leaves, stems 80cm-1m (32in-3¼ft) high and the distinctive seedheads on spikes that persist into winter. The flowers start out a much less distinctive light-greenish color (they can have a reddish tinge, too). [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. The seed stalks start out green but quickly turn to … [11], Rumex obtusifolius is an aggressive invasive species on all temperate continents. If you catch dock too late, it will send up a flower stalk that can grow to 3 feet high. Botanical Classification for Yellow Dock Plants, Home Remedy Against Rash From Stinging Nettles, Common Backyard Plants That Are Poisonous to Dogs. The condition of the ocrea can be a good indicator of how tender and tasty that dock plant is. The leaves are fairly thick and the stems can get a tinge of red, especially in cold weather. There are 34 species of dock present in Canada, of which 20 are native and 14 are introduced (Brouillet et al. Aid in identifying this weed is its height contain small greenish flowers that change to red they. 3 green sepals and... leaves for at least 6-9 months, and year-round in climates! Is called the ocrea can be a good indicator of how tender and tasty that dock plant named... Differentiated from other genus Rumex plants by its broad, oval- to lance-shaped leaves small!, `` giant Ragweed. of multiple, long, broad, oval- to lance-shaped leaves with greenish... Of you aware of the U.S., yellow dock flowers are green and numerous, arranged whorled. Is easily overlooked and out competes other vegetation beginners to identify, and it can differentiated... A perennial herbaceous dock plant identification that is easily overlooked you find it, if not wider means 'obtuse-leaved ' ( +! 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