ExplorePlants

docks and sorrels

Rumex

Docks and sorrels are leafy plants that often grow in gardens and fields. They have a tangy taste and can be used in salads or soups. These plants are fun to explore and can be found in many places!

Habitat: Urban areas, Gardens, Fields

Appearance

The docks and sorrels has long, often wavy or arrow-shaped leaves that can be deep green to reddish-purple. Its tall, slender stems bear dense clusters of tiny green, red, or brown flowers, which later form distinctive rust-colored seed heads.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyPolygonaceaeGenusRumex
docks and sorrels
deciduous trait badgespring_blooming trait badgebroadleaf_tree trait badgeagricultural trait badge
docks and sorrels

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

A single dock plant can create tens of thousands of seeds each year!

People have used dock leaves for ages to wrap food or soothe stings!

Some sorrel leaves taste lemony and are used in delicious soups and salads!

Their seeds can sprout up to 80 years after being buried!

Special abilities

Ability

Tough Taproots

Docks and sorrels can grow long taproots that reach deep water, helping them survive dry periods and making them hard to pull out.

Ability

Seed Superpower

This plant produces thousands of tiny seeds that can stay alive in the soil for many decades, ready to sprout later.

Ability

Sour Shield

Docks and sorrels have oxalic acid in their leaves, which can give them a sour taste and discourage animals from eating too much.

Measurements & details

Height
30-150 cm
Spread
20-100 cm
Flower Size
0.1-0.3 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Wind

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Dock LeavesSorrels

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before touching or tasting any plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is docks and sorrels?

30-150 cm

How wide does docks and sorrels spread?

20-100 cm

How big are the flowers on docks and sorrels?

0.1-0.3 cm

When does docks and sorrels bloom?

Late spring to summer

Is docks and sorrels edible?

Yes

Is docks and sorrels toxic?

Mild

What is docks and sorrels's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is docks and sorrels pollinated?

Wind

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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