Curly dock
Prepared by Jennifer L. D’Appollonio, Assistant Scientist, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Updated February 2018.
Scientific name: Rumex crispus L.
Common name(s): curly dock, curled dock, yellow dock, sour dock, narrow dock
Link(s): USDA PLANTS Profile, Go Botany
Images: (to see enlargements [PC]: click on image, then right click and choose “view image”)
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- June
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- inflorescence in June
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- leaf margins are curly
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- membrane around stem
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- basal leaves
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- early July
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- stem may be reddish
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- flowers in July, showing tubercles
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- late July
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- late August
Description:
-perennial
-taproot
-leaves are
- simple
- alternate
- entire
-may be confused with R. brittanica, but only in wetlands; or with R. obtusifolius, but flower margins are toothed. See left sidebar of Go Botany webpage
Habitat:
-anhropogenic disturbed areas
-beaches
-meadows and fields
-shores of rivers
-wetlands
Natural History:
-edible leaves and stems
-the leaves are used for potherbs and stuffings
-dried root can be used as a tonic, laxative, and a cure to skin irritations
-Navajo Indians formerly extracted a dye from the roots and the Hopi and Papago used them for treating colds
Sources:
University of Caliornia. “ Rumex Crispus L.” Rumex Crispus L, 2004, nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Plants%20of%20Upper%20Newport%20Bay%20(Robert%20De%20Ruff)/Polygonaceae/Rumex%20crispus.htm.
Go Botany. “Rumex Crispus L.” Rumex Crispus (Curly Dock): Go Botany, 2021, gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/rumex/crispus/.