Heartwing Dock (Rumex hastatulus)

This is not a plant that grabs your attention at first.

The flower buds

*****

The flowers just opening

The flowers in full bloom

Fields are red when the flowers are in full bloom - although this photo really doesn't do justice to just how red these fields are.

The characteristic pink and green heartwing seedpods develop. They gradually fade to a light brown as the seeds ripen.

Heartwing Dock is native to the United States from New York/Connecticut south to Florida and west to New Mexico, and including Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio.
Click on an image to view a larger image

Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Rumex hastatulus (Heartwing Sorrel)

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Heartwing Dock (Rumex hastatulus)

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower