Flower ID: IMG_0954.JPG-07-01-2017 Flower name (scientific): Rumex crispus Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ROO-meks KRISP-us Flower name (common): Curly Dock Family name (common): Buckwheat Family name (scientific): Polygonaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: A classical Latin name used by Pliny for sorrel. Specific epithet: Latin for closely waved or curled, referencing the wavy appearance of the leaves. Common name origin: Dock comes from pre 1150 (OED). From the wavy leaves and dock is used as a common reference to different species in the Rumex genus. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.3 inches (0.3 to 0.8 cm) Petal count: 6 Color: green or yellow or brown Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 12 to 60 inches (30 to 152 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves typically up to 30 cm long and up to 6 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate or lanceolate-linear (FNA), oblong-lanceolate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Invasive Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Fields, meadows, disturbed areas, roadsides, waste ground, sun or part shade, dry or moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): There are several other Rumex species that are similar to Rumex crispus, including Rumex pseudonatronatus (Field Dock) and Rumex stenophyllus (Narrowleaf Dock). Characteristics to look for to aid in the identification of Rumex crispus are as follows. Leaf margins crispate, curling up and down. The tepal margins entire (lack noticeable teeth). Usually dull apearance of the upper leaf surface. Tubercles are elongated with a length to approximately half that of the fruiting perianth segments. Pedicels articulated (jointed) in proximal one-third, and the articulation is noticeablely swollen. Ethnobotany: The Ojibwe used the roots to heal cuts. They also used the smoke from the dried seeds when hunting as an attractant for animals (Smith, pp. 381, 431, 1932). The Chippewa used this species to treat skin issues (Densmore, p. 350, 1928). At least twenty other tribes used this plant to treat a variety of ailments. Fifteen tribes used the plant as a food source (Moerman, pp. 496-497, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Rumex crispus subsp. crispus (The other infraspecifics are Rumex crispus subsp. littoreus (Hardy) Akeroyd, Rumex crispus subsp. robustus (Karl Rechinger) Pestova, Rumex crispus subsp. strictissimus (Karl Heinz Rechinger) Pestova, Rumex crispus subsp. uliginosus (Le Gall) Akeroyd. None of these four subspeciess are recorded from North America.)