Curled Dock, Rumex crispus
Polygonaceae or Buckwheat Family
 |
Coarse, homely plant, about 4-5 feet tall.
Leaves lance-shaped, long, pointed, with very curly edges.
Flowers in small clusters on a long flowerstalk at the top of
the plant. Flowers tiny, green. Fruits tiny,
greenish or reddish, three flat wings surrounding a seed.
Alien weed of fields and waste places. Common in the field at the south end of the Park, and occasional along the road and bikeway. A distinctive plant in the Park, easily recognized by its overall aspect and its narrow leaves. Bitter dock (R. obtusifolius) is similar but has wide leaves and spiny fruits. Field or red sorrel (Rumex acetosella) looks like a very miniature version of curled dock, being only about a foot tall. Other species of dock (Rumex) can be distinguished by leaf and fruit characteristics; however, they have not been reported yet in the Park. |
|
 |
|
 |
