Rumex altissimus
(Pale Dock)
Rumex altissimus, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6149
Rumex altissimus, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6142
Rumex altissimus, Martin Creek Lake State Park, Rusk Co. 6143
| Scientific Name | Rumex altissimus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | RUAL4 |
| Common Name | Pale Dock, Smooth Dock | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 20937 |
| Family | Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Various soil types in moist, damp locations: disturbed areas (ditches, roadsides, waste ground), swales, wet fields, marshes, shores and riverbanks. Plant: Perennial with smooth stems that are erect or procumbent near the base; 20 to 32 inches tall. Leaves: Alternate, broadly ovate-lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, 4 to 10 inches long, up to 3 inches wide, bases wedge-shaped (cuneate) with pointed tips; hairless, toothless, somewhat shiny, the edges slightly wavy; lowest leaves are larger and long-stalked, becoming smaller and shorter stalked upward. Inflorescence: Branching clusters of flowers at the top of the plant, each branch with numerous whorls of flowers, the lower whorls on a branch more widely separated than those near the tip; light green flowers are up to 1/4-inch long with 2 series of triangular to heart-shaped tepals (valves), the outer much smaller than the inner; tubercule present on one inner tepal; tepals spread at flowering time, revealing stamens and styles. Bloom Period: May to August. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, Minnesota Wildflowers and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Introduced |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024