Rumex crispus

Common Name: 
curly dock, yellow dock, sour dock, narrowleaf dock, curled dock
Scientific Name: 
Rumex crispus L.
Family Name: 
Polygonaceae - Smartweed or Buckwheat Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
introduced perennial, reproducing by seed
Stems
reproductive, upright, smooth, grooved, one or more per crown, nodes swollen, ocrea (papery or membranous sheath) at nodes
Stems of Curly Dock
Stems of Curly Dock
Stems of Curly Dock
Stems of Curly Dock
Stems of Curly Dock
Leaves
basal leaves narrowly lanceolate, smooth, margins curled or wavy; stem leaves alternate, smaller above
Leaves of Curly Dock
Leaves of Curly Dock
Leaves of Curly Dock
Flowers
green to reddish-brown when mature, small, petals absent; branched terminal clusters mature
Flowers of Curly Dock
Seed Pods
shiny, triangular, 3 papery "wings" or heart-shaped appendages, wing margins smooth
Seedpods of Curly Dock
Seedpods of Curly Dock
Seedpods of Curly Dock
Seedpods of Curly Dock