Broad-Leaved Dock
EntdeckenPflanzen
Broad-Leaved Dock
rumex obtusifolius
The Broad-Leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) is a highly resilient, perennial weed native to Europe but now widely naturalized across the globe. Known for its expansive, emerald leaves and tough, deep taproot, it is a familiar sight in pastures, roadsides, and disturbed soils. While gardeners often view it as a persistent agricultural weed, this hardy plant has a rich history in folk medicine, most famously as a natural soothing remedy for stinging nettle burns. Its ability to thrive in compacted, nutrient-rich soils makes it an ecological pioneer, preparing degraded land for subsequent plant successions.
Lebensraum: Commonly found in disturbed grounds, agricultural fields, waste places, and damp meadows with nutrient-rich soils.
Aussehen
Broad-Leaved Dock is easily identified by its massive, oblong-ovate leaves that can reach up to 40 cm in length, featuring heart-shaped bases and slightly wavy margins. The plant grows from a dense basal rosette to produce tall, erect, reddish-green stems that branch near the top. In summer, it produces dense clusters of tiny green flowers that mature into distinctive, three-winged, reddish-brown dry fruits, each containing a single glossy seed. It typically stands between 60 to 150 cm tall.
ReichPlantaeStammTracheophytaKlasseMagnoliopsidaOrdnungCaryophyllalesFamiliePolygonaceaeGattungRumex
Kategorie
PflanzenSeltenheit
Common
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Snaps
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Interessante Fakten
According to folklore, rubbing a crushed dock leaf on a stinging nettle sting helps neutralize the pain, a practice still widely used by hikers today.
Historically, the tough roots of the plant were used to extract a yellow dye for wool and other textiles.
The seeds of the broad-leaved dock can pass through the digestive systems of farm animals completely unharmed, helping the plant spread across pastures.
Besondere Fähigkeiten
Fähigkeit
Deep Taproot Anchor
Develops a massive, deep taproot that can penetrate over a meter into compacted soil, allowing it to access deep water reserves and survive harsh droughts.
Fähigkeit
Chemical Defense Arsenal
Leaves produce oxalic acid and tannins, which deter many generalist herbivores and give the foliage its signature bitter taste.
Fähigkeit
Prolific Seed Bank
A single mature plant can produce up to 60,000 seeds per year, which can remain viable in the soil for several decades waiting for the right conditions to germinate.
Maße und Details
- Länge
- 50-150 cm
- Gewicht
- 0.1-2 kg
- Lebenserwartung
- 3-20 Jahre
Ernährung und Fütterung
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own organic compounds through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and soil minerals.
Hauptnahrung
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon Dioxide
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Nahrungssuche
- Photosynthesis
Ökologische Zusammenhänge
eaten by
Green Dock Beetle
Gastrophysa viridula
This beetle feeds heavily on the leaves of the broad-leaved dock, often skeletonizing them.
competitor
Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioica
Often found growing alongside nettles in similar nutrient-rich soils, sharing the same ecological niche.
eaten by
Ruby Tiger Moth
Phragmatobia fuliginosa
The caterpillars of this moth species use dock leaves as a primary larval food plant.
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Sicherheit
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
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Häufig gestellte Fragen
Wie identifiziert man Broad-Leaved Dock?
Der einfachste Weg, Broad-Leaved Dock zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.
Was ist der/die/das länge von Broad-Leaved Dock?
50-150 cm
Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Broad-Leaved Dock?
0.1-2 kg
Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Broad-Leaved Dock?
3-20 Jahre
Was frisst Broad-Leaved Dock?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own organic compounds through photosynthesis, utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and soil minerals.
Wo findet man Broad-Leaved Dock normalerweise?
Commonly found in disturbed grounds, agricultural fields, waste places, and damp meadows with nutrient-rich soils.
Wie jagt Broad-Leaved Dock?
Photosynthesis
Snap-Karte
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Neueste Snaps
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