Curled Dock, Rumex crispus
Polygonaceae or Buckwheat Family
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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,
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. 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. |
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