CURLY DOCK

CURLY DOCK

Rumex crispus
BUCKWHEAT FAMILY (Polygonaceae)

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This annual and perennial was introduced from Europe and considered a weed in Nebraska. This slender plant grows to about 4 feet tall. The leaves are lance-shaped with curly edges (A). The flowers are numerous, tiny and green on spikes (B). The fruit is a red-brown, three-sided seed with wings. This dock has curly-edged leaves. Pale Dock (Rumex altissimus) has flat leaves.

Grows along roads and disturbed ground, flowering in May and June. In Fontenelle Forest, common along Camp Gifford Road. At Neale Woods, common along River Road.

The European settlers boiled the leaves for food. The Omaha later adopted this practice as well.

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.