Curly Dock (Rumex crispus): green Minnesota wildflowers

Curly Dock

Plant Info
Also known as:	Curled Dock, Yellow Dock
Scientific name:	Rumex crispus
Family:	Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	Europe
Habitat:	sun or part shade; fields, along roads, waste areas
Bloom season:	late spring, summer
Plant height:	1 to 5 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Flower:: Flowers are clustered on branches from 6 to 18 inches long that are all along the upper part of the main stem. There are actually separate male and female flowers, each about 1/8 inch across with 6 parts and no petals, but they aren't really distinguishable. The fruiting flower shown in the photo is how it's commonly found, looking similar to a heart-shaped leaf (sepal) with a gland in the center (the fruit). Flower color is green or yellowish green.
Leaves and stem:: Leaves average about 5 inches long and 1 inch wide, have very curly or wavy edges, and stems up to 2 inches long. Leaves around the base of the plant are largest, and there are a few small leaves along the flower branches. The main stem is ribbed and is often reddish.
Fruit:: As the plant matures, an oval fruit develops in the center of the sepal and the plant dries to a deep reddish brown. A single seed develops in the fruit.
Notes:: Curly dock can be invasive and is on the noxious weed list for Minnesota. It seems to prefer dry conditions and poor soil, but grows in moist conditions as well. Bitter Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is a similar species found in the same types of habitat. Bitter Dock has wider, more heart-shaped leaves that are less curly, and the sepal under the fruit has distinct teeth around the edges.