Plant · GBIF taxon 8195144
curled dock
Rumex crispusAlso known as Curly Dock, Yellow Dock, Sour Dock, Narrow-leaved Dock
Curled dock produces distinctively ruffled leaves along sturdy reddish stems that support dense clusters of tiny greenish flowers turning rust-brown as seeds mature. Deep taproots allow this resilient perennial to thrive in disturbed soils, pastures, and roadsides across temperate regions worldwide. As the inflorescence dries, thousands of winged seeds remain attached through winter, providing critical cold-season forage for songbirds.
PerennialWeedyWildflower
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Dock Beetle
- Caterpillars
- Grazing Livestock
ThreatsHerbicide application, frequent mowing, soil cultivation
HabitatsDisturbed ground, pastures, roadsides, waste places
Life span3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCaryophyllales
- FamilyPolygonaceae
- GenusRumex
- SpeciesRumex crispus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains soluble oxalates toxic to pets and livestock; wild plants also carry look-alike risks.
- Why it is dangerous
- High concentration of soluble oxalates can cause hypocalcemia and kidney damage if large quantities are consumed by livestock or pets.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for distinctly wavy, crinkled leaf margins and vertical stalks bearing dense clusters of reddish-brown seed pods.
- What to do
- Prevent domestic animals from grazing on mature foliage, and avoid harvesting wild plants for consumption.
Responsible observation
- Field Identification: Observe the distinctively crinkled, wavy margins on long, narrow leaves.
- Autumn Removal: Dig deep beneath the taproot if attempting to control growth in gardens.
- Winter Observation: Look for tall, dry rust-brown seed stalks standing above snow cover.
Herbivore (c) TristramBrelstaff, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
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