# curled dock (*Rumex crispus*) Curled dock is a leafy plant with wavy edges that grows in many places. It has tall stems and can be found in fields and along roadsides. Its leaves are often used in salads and can be a tasty treat! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 14 - **Habitat:** Fields and roadsides ![curled dock](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/20130711Rumex_crispus3.jpg&width=800) Photo: AnRo0002, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20130711Rumex_crispus3.jpg) ## Appearance The curled dock has distinct, long, wavy-edged leaves, often a deep green color. Its tall, slender stems produce dense clusters of small, greenish-red flowers that mature into prominent reddish-brown seed stalks. These curled leaves give it its name. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Polygonaceae - **Genus:** Rumex ## Interesting facts - A single plant can produce up to 60,000 seeds in one year! - Its roots were once used to make a yellow-orange dye for fabrics! - The dried seeds can float on water, traveling far distances to sprout in new places! - Young curled dock leaves are sometimes called "wild spinach" and can be cooked! ## Special abilities - **Deep Digger:** Curled dock has a powerful taproot that helps it reach deep water and nutrients, even in dry soil. - **Seed Powerhouse:** Curled dock produces thousands of seeds that can stay viable in soil for decades, helping it spread far and wide. - **Sour Shield:** This plant produces oxalic acid, which can make its leaves taste sour or bitter, helping to deter some hungry animals. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-150 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Broad-nosed weevil (*Lixus iridis*) — Larvae feed on dock stems. - **Eaten by:** Black bean aphid (*Aphis rumicis*) — Feeds on sap from leaves and stems. - **Eaten by:** [European goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-goldfinch) (*Carduelis carduelis*) — Eats abundant dried seeds in winter. - **Eaten by:** [European rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Browses on young leaves. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before eating any wild plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify curled dock? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is curled dock? 30-150 cm ### How wide does curled dock spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on curled dock? 0.2-0.3 cm ### When does curled dock bloom? Summer ### Is curled dock edible? Yes ### Is curled dock toxic? Mild ### What is curled dock's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Brandon Road Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brandon-road-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Centennial Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Fort Revere Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-revere-park) — US · State Park - [Jumel Terrace Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jumel-terrace-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Lilacia Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lilacia-park) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see curled dock](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/curled-dock) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Curled Dock: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/curled-dock)