PALE DOCK
Rumex altissimus
BUCKWHEAT FAMILY (Polygonaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - May, June
- Uncommon? on floodplain at FF
- Leaves with smooth margins
- Spikes of green flower clusters
- Spikes turning brown at maturity
This native perennial grows up to 3 feet tall. The erect main stem has darker green lines near its base and papery sheaths (ocrea) at the base of leaf stalks. The alternate leaves are lance-shaped, up to 8 inches long, becoming smaller towards the top of the plant. They do not have curly or crinkled edges. The green flowers are numerous on spikes near the top of the plant. The flower is replaced by a dark brown structure with 3 wings (valve). Usually there is only a single knot-like structure (tubercle) present between one set of wings.
Grows in or near water along rivers and ponds, flowering from April through July. It was reported as locally common in a spot along the Missouri River at Fontenelle Forest in the early 2000’s and there is a single report from the 1980’s from Neale Woods, but it’s status at this time is not clear.
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.