Curly Dock (Rumex crispus)

Rumex crispus is known by the common names Curly Dock, , Yellow Dock, Sour Dock, or Narrow Dock. It is widespread in Georgia and would be considered by most to be a weed. The flowers are tiny – about 1/4 inch across and go unnoticed unless you look closely. The seeds are fascinating.

A young plant.

The flower spike is just developing.

A flowering plant, from a distance. This one is simple; they can have multiple flowering/fruiting spikes.

A flower, up close.

A flower, up close.

Young fruit, just developing.

Developed fruit.

A dried plant.

The seed pods, up close.

Rumex crispus (Curly Dock) is native to Europe and western Asia. It grows throughout the United States and Canada.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Rumex crispus (Curly Dock)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Rumex crispus

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Curly Dock (Rumex crispus)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Rumex crispus
- Missouri Plants: Rumex crispus
- Wikipedia: Rumex crispus

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower