Slender Dock
Rumex brownii
An erect herb growing to a height of 90 cm. Oblong to lanceolate shaped leaves on long stalks, 5-8 small, greenish-red flowers arranged in widely spaced rings (whorls) along leafless stems.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Herbs |
| Distinctive Features | Fruiting segments are triangular with 3-5 hooked teeth and a hooked tip. Leafless in the upper two-thrids of the plant. |
| Biology | Perennial. Widespread and common along rivers, creeks and wet places. Wind-pollinated. Hooked seeds are dispersed by adhesion on clothing or animal fur. Also NZ, Timor, New Guinea and Java. Introduced into Europe accidently as a contaminant on wool. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Flowering Time | Sep-Dec |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Genus | Rumex |
| Species | brownii |
Rumex is an old Latin name for the introduced Wrinkled Sorrel Rumex rugosus which is an edible green salad vegetable.Important in indigenous medicines. Rich in Vitamin C and can be used as leafy greens but only in small amounts.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Hybridises with Narrow-leaf Dock R. tenax which has different seedpod or burr characteristics. |
| Native Status | Native |