Broadleaf dock rosette (left). Weeds of the Northeast. Identification and control options for weeds common to turf, agriculture, and gardens in New York; uses a very simple decision tree to identify your weed. Burdock thrives along river banks, disturbed habitats, roadsides, vacant lots, and fields. Emergence: Emerges from soil depths of … This wild edible has a patter that makes identification a breeze. Although similar to red sorrel, Rumex acetosella, the mature plant has stout stems, whereas red sorrel has slender red stems. Young leaves are in a basal rosette, smooth, egg-shaped, with red spots on the upper surface. Reproduction . This plant grows to a height of about 1 – 2 metres tall. Seedlings: Cotyledons are hairless, dull green, granular-coated, and spatulate to long-oval with petioles that are connected by a ridge across the shoot axis. Ditches, roadsides, wetlands, pastures, agronomic crop fields (especially those in perennial crops like alfalfa), orchards, disturbed, unmanaged sites, and disturbed m… Lower leaves are longer and more rounded than the stem leaves. The first few leaves are egg shaped to football shaped with a rounded tip and a tapered base. Identification difficulty level: novice Curly dock, Latin name: Rumex crispus, is an excellent wild plant to know. Curly dock … Leaves are alternate to one another along the stem. It's fairly easy to identify, and grows abundantly throughout all of non-Arctic North America. The green leaves may be tinged with reddish purple. Curly dock is also known as yellow dock, narrowleaf dock, sour dock, yaller dock, curled dock, Bitter Dock, Bloodwort, Coffee-weed, Garden-patience, Narrowdock, Out-sting and Winter Dock. Seeds and fleshy taproot. Curly Dock Seven Common Colorado Weeds In Your Garden The Foraged Foodie: Identifying Spring Curly Dock: An Weekly Weeder #32 And Wildcrafting Wednesday. Emergence: Curly dock seeds germinate in cool, moist soil from late spring through early fall as conditions permit. Curly dock (Rumex crispus): learn and get advice on how to grow, care, sow, dibble, associate, plant, water, mulch, repot, propagate, reap, check on, identify. Ditches, roadsides, wetlands, pastures, agronomic crop fields (especially those in perennial crops like alfalfa), orchards, disturbed, unmanaged sites, and disturbed moist places. Leaf blades are 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. by Erica Marciniec, www.wildfoodgirl.com Stare out across the empty lots and fields on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado, and you will see scattered clumps of dark green leaves towering above the grass. Michigan State University has a detailed profile of non-chemical management for curly dock. Published: April 13, 2015. Flowering stem has a few leaves and reaches heights of 3 ft. Corky structures on the outside of the calyx allow the fruit to float on water, thus facilitating dispersal. Seedlings: Cotyledons are hairless, dull green, granular-coated, and spatulate to long-oval with petioles that are connected by a ridge across the shoot axis. Curly dock stem, stem leaves, and seeds. Oder leaves have slightly wavy margins. Younger plants tend to have foliage with less curly margins. Curly dock (also known as yellow dock, sour dock, and butter dock, as well as other names) is one of the first wild greens ready to harvest in spring. Curly dock (Rumex crispus) is a member of the diverse Polygonaceae family, which encompasses 1,200 species, including trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs, such as buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum). Another aid in identifying this weed is its height. It is a member of the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae. Photo by New York’s Integrated Pest Management program. Leaves can grow to 50 centimetres in size. Leaves are hairless. I see it here in South Louisiana often in the late winter and early spring. The flowering stem is loosely branched and green, non-showy flowers cluster along its upper portion in a whorl. Leaves are alternate to one another along the stem forming a rosette. Photo by Bruce Ackley of Ohio State University, via Bugwood.org. The one-seeded fruit (achene) is triangular in cross-section, smooth, glossy, and reddish brown. Home Blog PLant encyclopedia Subscription What the press says about us Curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) Life Cycle: Simple perennial. Uprooting plants, chopping and then burying the taproots will control curly dock. Rumex longifolius – Yard dock, door yard dock or northern dock, this species looks very similar to curly dock, but the flavor is considerably more bitter. Flowering occurs primarily in June. Mowing will prevent seed production and reduce top growth. Common names are tricky for that very reason; they change from place to place. Large, wavy, heart-shaped leaves that are green on the top and whitish on the bottom makes identification easy. Found throughout the United States primarily as a weed of pastures, hay fields, forages, landscapes, and some agronomic crops. Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Home › Food › Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) – Wild Edible. Homepage; Broadleaf; Grasslike; Other; curly dock. Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is a long lived perennial with a basal rosette of long-stalked, smooth ovate-oblong leaves, stems 80cm-1m (32in-3¼ft) high and the distinctive seedheads on spikes that persist into winter.The tap root can be up to 90cm (3ft) in length. Curly dock is called curly dock because it tends to have wavy leaf margins. Flower parts that adhere to the fruit of curly dock can be toothed or have tubercles. The fruiting stem dies back in mid to late summer, and the fruits and stems turn a distinctive rusty brown. Perennial plants emerge in mid-spring from taproots, producing a robust rosette. Non-chemical control:  Michigan State University has a detailed profile of non-chemical management for curly dock. Staff-only pages Curly dock leaves are lance shaped; those of red sorrel leaves are arrow shaped. Contact Webmaster, © 2016 Regents of the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Learning how to identify broad leaf dock is important for successful foraging. Most species are common and widespread. yellow dock. Curly dock (Rumex crispus) Since the seeds and seed stalks persist through the winter season, you can identify this plant by the fruit’s wings even in the winter. Curly dock flower cluster. Established plants emerge from the taproot in midspring, producing a robust rosette. Curly dock has wings of the fruit which are smooth-edged — in contrast to its curly-edged leaves. New basal rosettes of leaves form in early winter. Curled dock is a very common plant found in gardens, along roadside verges and hedgerows, on waste ground, and by water. An ocrea surrounds the stem at the base of the petiole. Broadleaf dock (R. obtusifolius L.) Differs by having much wider, broader leaves and usually heart-shaped leaf bases. Height. Similar weeds . The aerial parts are a food source and the roots have strong medicinal values. Nondiscrimination Statement, Accessibility Elongating flowering stems are smooth, ridged, often reddish, and branched toward the top with enlarged nodes. Flowers have greenish sepals that become reddish brown at maturity. For those who need to know precisely and with absolute certainty which plant they're dealing with, use the botanical Latin name. As with other docks, it is often considered a weed of arable and disturbed ground, although it may be left alone on grazing land as extra herbage. Seeds germinate from late spring through early fall producing seedlings. For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. The succulent cotyledons (seed leaves) are three times longer than they are wide, have a somewhat rounded tip, and a stalk about as long or longer than the leaf blade. More Galleries of Curly Dock. Curly dock inhabits agricultural land and other disturbed areas. Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) – Wild Edible By greatoutdoordinary on March 27, 2017 • ( 0). Curly dock can be confused with other docks like broadleaf dock (Rumex obtusifolius), however, the leaves of broadleaf dock have heart-shaped lobed at the base and are much wider and less wavy than those of curly dock.Chicory, dandelion and buckhorn plantain also grow in a rosette like curly dock. The go-to for weed ID in the Northeast; look for a new edition sometime in 2019. Curly dock is invasive in North America, South America, New Zealand, and Australia. Besides curly dock, broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is the main species that’s eaten. Curly dock (Rumex crispus), also known as sour dock, yellow dock, narrowleaf dock, or curled dock, is a perennial weed native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.Curly dock was introduced into the U.S., possibly arriving as a seed contaminant in the early 1600’s when the British brought crops and cattle to New England 1. . Emerging leaf margins are rolled underneath the blade. Stems are solitary or occur in small groups from the root crown. Plants may be poisonous to livestock when ingested in quantity. Fruits are covered with a papery, three-winged membrane with veins. Stem leaves are alternate, subtended by an ocrea, and reduced in both number and size compared with basal leaves. Appearance. Curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) is a weed of low-maintenance orchards, nursery crops, landscapes, roadsides, pastures and forage crops. If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an alternate format, contact web-accessibility@cornell.edu for assistance. This plant is also known as curled dock, narrow dock and curly leaf dock. Plants may be poisonous to livestock when ingested in quantity. Varieties and Subspecies of Curly Dock Curly dock (Rumex crispus) is a perennial weed with a thick taproot. A flowering stalk bolts from this rosette during the late spring. Weed Description Taprooted perennial, developing a basal rosette of wavy-margined leaves and an unbranched stem that may reach 5 feet in height. This relative of rhubarb is a hardy herbaceous perennial weed native to Europe that has naturalized in the US. A stout, somewhat branched, yellow taproot may extend as deep as 4 feet, with side branches up to 3 feet long. Curly Dock Rumex crispus. A single plant can produce 40,000 seeds. Curly dock, a perennial broadleaf plant, usually grows in wet areas and is frequently associated with overwatering or standing water in low areas. Seeds may be dispersed by wind and water. It is found throughout California up to an elevation of 8200 feet (2500 m). Mature plant: Emerging perennials produce a robust basal rosette of 15 – 30 cm long leaves with wavy margins. Curly dock grows in a wide variety of habitats, including disturbed soil, waste areas, roadsides, fields/meadows, shorelines, and forest edges. Emergence: Curly dock seeds germinate in cool, moist soil from late spring through early fall as conditions permit. Book published by Cornell University, Ithaca NY. Curly dock Rumex crispus L.. Family: Polygonaceae (Smartweed family) Life cycle: Perennial, reproducing by seed Native status: Introduced Habitat: Pastures, roadsides, low maintenance turf, waste areas General description: Basal rosette of elongated leaves (up to 12 in long) with wavy margins.Leaves are a dull green. Curly dock inhabits agricultural land and other disturbed areas. This perennial plant is not usually a problem in cultivated row crops. Curly dock, a perennial broadleaf plant, usually grows in wet areas and is frequently associated with overwatering or standing water in low areas. Rumex triangulivalvis – White dock, willow dock or narrow-leafed dock is identified by it’s long, flat, narrow leaves that vaguely resemble willow leaves in shape (only much larger). Stems are erect and 1 to 4 feet tall. Contact UC IPM, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, © 2016 Regents of the University of California Initially, it consists of a rosette of basal leaves about 1' across. For established curly dock plants, fall herbicide applications are the most effective. Curly dock may also be called yellow dock, sour dock, or narrowleaf dock, depending on where they are purchased. Flowers are in clusters (15 -60 cm long) on narrowly spaced branches on the upper portions of the elongating stem. Curly dock seedlings vary in color, from entirely green to red tinged in cooler months. A papery sheath surrounds the stem at each node. A relative of buckwheat (the plant not the rascal), Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) is an easy to identify wild edible that occurs across most of the United States. Today's featured plant is Curly Dock, Rumex crispus. As a member of the buckwheat family, the plant has a characteristic membranous sheath at the leaf base and usually swollen stem joints (nodes). The seed is enclosed within the fruit, a papery or corky 3-winged triangular structure. If you catch dock too late, it will send up a flower stalk that can grow to 3 feet high. They suggest chopping the plant a couple inches below ground, or any cultivation practice that will chop and bury the plant’s taproot. Seeds are triangular, glossy, and reddish brown at maturity. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. Flowers are visible nearly year-round. The plant reaches as much as 4 feet tall at maturity. The leaves are fairly thick and the stems can get a tinge of red, especially in cold weather. Stems are smooth and sometimes ridged. Curly dock grows throughout the US and southern Canada. Leaves grow mostly at the base of the plant and are lance-shaped with wavy or curly margins. sour dock. However, in the similar looking red sorrel plant, the flower parts do not have teeth or tubercles. Image detail for Curly Dock Identification : Title: Curly Dock Identification; Date: May 10, 2019; Size: 514kB; Resolution: 2048px x 1536px; Download Image. Yellow Dock Plant Identification . It provides food for at least 6-9 months, and year-round in some climates. Cornell University’s Turf and Landscape weed identification app provides recommendations for chemical management of curly dock. Weed Identification. Photo by Thayne Tuason. Habitat. It is from this curly leaf margin that the weed gets the nickname of "curly dock." Cornell University’s Turfgrass and Landscape Weed ID app. This plant is instantly recognizable, and one of the ones that seem to "Spring up everywhere" once you know what it looks like! Get PDF Reader Established plants emerge from the taproot in midspring, producing a robust rosette. sour dock yellow dock This plant and the related entity italicized and indented above can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. Broadleaf dock leaf (right). Print a PDF of this page: Rumex crispus L. Back to identifying nursery weeds. Curly dock cotyledon and first leaf. Curly dock (Rumex crispus) is a non-native forb in the buckwheat or smartweed family (Polygonaceae). FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Curly Dock Rumex crispus Knotweed family (Polygonaceae) Description: This herbaceous perennial plant is 1–3' tall and little branched, except where the flowers occur. Spring application of labeled herbicides are effective in controlling seedling curly dock. Leaves: Leaves are shiny, progressively becoming more reddish purple through the season. It is found throughout California up to an elevation of 8200 feet (2500 m). Curly dock is an herbaceous perennial with tall, erect stems. Native species include Slender Dock (Rumex brownii), Wiry Dock (R. dumosus), Mud Dock (R. bidens) and Glistening Dock (R. crystallinus). This taprooted perennial begins germinating in late spring, continuing into fall if conditions permit. Habit. Curly dock leaves. This dock has large, broad heart-shaped leaves, unlike the long, narrow leaves of curly dock. Back; Search; Menu. Exotic species include Curled Dock (R. crispus), Clustered Dock (R. conglomeratus), Fiddle Dock (R. pulcher) and Broad-leaf Dock (R. obtusifolius). The leaves, stem, and seeds of broad-leaved dock can be eaten like those of curly dock, but the root does not have the same medicinal qualities. Get Flash Player Flowers/Fruit: Plants flowers primarily in June, but also throughout the summer. Family Polygonaceae Scientific Name Rumex crispus ← → Other Common Names: narrowleaf dock. See our Home page, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. Range and Identification of Curly Dock. This makes curly dock one of the easier plants for beginners to identify. Acknowledgements But the leaf shape is highly variable, both on a single plant, and from plant to plant. Subscribe (RSS) How to Harvest and Use Curly Dock. Similar Species Dock, Broadleaf Rumex obtusifolius Herbicidal Control Options Preemergence: Isoxaben Post Emergence: 2,4-D, Asulam, Atrazine, Chlorsulfuron, Clopyralid, Dicamba, Fluroxypyr, MCPA, Mecoprop-p, Sulfentrazone, Triclopyr Please note: one or more of these active ingredients may exist in combination-type brand name products. Sequential applications may be necessary for control. Curly dock stands erect and grows 2 to 5 feet (0.6 to 1.5 m) tall. Curly Dock . Stems turn red-brown at maturity and often p… Yellow dock is an ingredient in some herbal toothpastes. The seeds are useful and interestingly, yellow dock seeds are viable for up to 80 years. Stems are often unbranched below the flower head. Uva R H, Neal J C, DiTomaso J M. 1997. This alternate common name is also sometimes given as "curled dock"; the species name, crispus is Latin for "curly." Also, their leaves may be slightly rounder and broader than those of mature curly dock …