Rumex crispus L.
Family: Polygonaceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
none
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
curly dock
Primary Disseminule Type
fruit (typically with attached perianth)
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Disseminule is a fruit with persistent tepals (=perianth) and pedicel.
Perianth of two whorls of three tepals each. Outer tepals (typically missing) 1–2.5 mm long. Inner tepals closely adherant to fruit, deep red, typically appearing winged (wings triangular to cordate, margins smooth to inconspicuously toothed), strongly reticulate with raised veins, 3.5–6 mm long x 3–5 mm wide, each bearing (0)1 prominent ovoid or lanceoloid tubercles (these often quite unequal in size, the largest commonly 1–2 mm wide).
Fruit an achene, broadly ovoid with acuminate apex and short-stipitate base, trigonous with acutely-angled margins, 1.7–3 mm long x 1.2–2 mm wide. Surface reddish-brown to dark brown, shiny, smooth.
Similar Species
Compare to Similar Species of Rumex and Similar Species of Other Polygonaceae.
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI