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Rumex crispus

Phonetic Spelling
ROO-meks KRISP-us
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Curly dock is a long-lived perennial weed in the buckwheat family. It occurs at sites with full sun, moist to dry conditions, and tolerates most soil types. It withstands drought, temporary flooding, and occasional mowing. The seeds of this plant can remain viable for up to 50 years.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#perennial weeds#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#perennial weeds#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rumex
    Species:
    crispus
    Family:
    Polygonaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa, Eurasia
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Each flower becomes a dry capsule with one seed. Seeds are dark brown and 3-angled, tapering at their tips.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Description:
    The inflorescent is a panicle of racemes with whorls of flowers ½–1½' long. Individual flowers are 1/8 inch long, have no petals and are yellowish-green three-winged sepals that turn brown at maturity. They are wind-pollinated.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Rosette of basal leaves about 1 foot across. Stem leaves are 6 inches long and 1 inch across, alternate and oblong-lanceolate. Basal leaves are similar but larger. The leaves have very wavy margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    The flower stem is hairless and ribbed.
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Kidney failure (rare in dogs/cats), tremors, salivation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Soluble calcium oxalates
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No