Scientific name: Rumex crispus L.

Common name: Curled dock

Family: Polygonaceae

Origin:

Native of Europe, Asia and Africa.

Habit:

Perennial herb which first forms a rosette of leaves, later growing erect stems and branched inflorescences up to 1.5 m in height.

Habitat:

Widespread common weed usually grows in damp, nitrogen-rich soils which are not highly acidic.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems may be reddish, either smooth or ribbed growing erectly or obliquely then upwards at the tips, unbranched below the flower spikes. Leaves have petioles (leaf stalks) 1.5-11 cm long, oval to oblong blades 11-30 × 1.5-10 cm and undulating margins. Leaf tips are pointed and leaf bases vary from those tapering to the petiole to those with pronounced wings. Stems leaves are gradually smaller towards the tips.

Flowers and fruit

Inflorescences are branched, leafless above the point of branching. The inflorescence is comprised of many small clustered greenish red flowers. Fruits are reddish-brown three-sided nuts, each either surrounded by three oval 3-6 mm long bracts with obvious net-like veins or without bracts but with a large egg-like swelling at the base. Seeds are dark brown, angular, 2 mm long

Distinguishing characteristics:

Perennial herb with stalked leaves forming a rosette at first, later developing a number of upright leafy stems which branch into clustered inflorescences. Rumex brownii (swamp dock) a similar species can be distinguished by its inflorescences which are not densely clustered and by its hooked fruits.

Noxious status:

Declared noxious in Tasmania and Western Australia.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 1. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Anonymous. (2000). Noxious Weed List for Australian States and Territories. Prepared by the National Weeds Strategy Executive Committee.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.