Identification
This weedy perennial was introduced from Europe and is now well established throughout North America. Large basal leaves up to 1 foot long appear in the spring. Soon a single, stout stem emerges which may be up to 4 feet tall (C). The smaller alternate stem leaves are up to 6 inches long and oblong to lance-shaped with wavy, crinkled edges (A,C). Numerous branches bearing clusters of tiny green flowers arise from the upper stem (A,B), the clusters turning a rich brown as they mature (D). The flower matures into a small, three-sided, winged structure (valve) bearing a single seed. Lying between each of the 3 wings are tiny knot-like structures called tubercles (E).
Grows along roads and disturbed ground, flowering in May and June. Common in disturbed areas, particularly roadsides, at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.
Structure of the winged fruits (valves) and the number and shape of tiny knot-like bumps (tubercles) lying between the wings of the valves are too small to be very useful in the field, but are important features used by botanists to separate Curly Dock from similar dock species. If you’re interested or still reading take a look at Photo E. The heart-shaped wings with smooth margins and presence of a tubercle in between each wing indicates this one is, indeed, Rumex crispus. Since these almost microscopic features are not usually looked for it is likely that similar species with the same leaf characteristics as Curly Dock are underreported.
Curly Dock has a long history of use as a herbal medicine. The young leaves have been used in salads, or more often boiled before eating to make it less bitter by removing the high concentrations of oxalate present in the leaves. This property is likely responsible for the alternate common name, Sour Dock.
Curly Dock is a larval food host for the American Copper butterfly.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.