Family: Polygonaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 335 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Rumex
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, N. Africa, Temp. Eurasia
Description
Curled dock, scientifically known as Rumex crispus, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family. First officially described by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, curled dock has since established its presence across a broad geographical range. This resilient species is commonly found throughout Macaronesia, North Africa, and temperate regions of Eurasia.
Characterized by its distinctively wavy or crisped leaf margins, from which it derives its name, curled dock typically grows to a height of 50-130 cm. The leaves are lanceolate to oblong, with a pronounced midrib, giving them a somewhat ruffled appearance. These leaves are dark green and can grow up to 30 cm in length, making them quite striking.
Curled dock thrives in disturbed soils, often colonizing areas such as roadsides, fields, and waste grounds. Its ability to survive in a wide spectrum of environmental conditions is one reason for its extensive distribution. The plant produces greenish flowers that form dense, elongated clusters on tall stems, which eventually give way to reddish-brown seeds encapsulated in membranous wings, aiding in wind dispersion.
In addition to its ecological adaptability, curled dock is notable for its medicinal and nutritional properties. The leaves of Rumex crispus are edible, though they have a notably tart taste due to their oxalic acid content. Traditionally, various parts of the plant have been utilized in folk medicine for their purported health benefits, ranging from pain relief to cleansing purposes.
The tenacity and versatility of curled dock underscore its significance in both natural and human-altered landscapes, making it a fascinating subject of study for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.
Common Names
Eng: curled dock, curly dock, narrowleaf dock, sour dock, yellow dock, curly-leaved dock, indian tobacco, narrow-leaved dock
Deu: krauser ampfer
Dan: kruset skræppe
Por: azeda-crespa, língua-de-vaca, língua-de-vaca-crespa
Afr: krultongblaar, weeblaar
Nld: krulzuring
Swe: krusskräppa, krussyra
Spa: labaça-crespa
Fra: patience crépu, patience crépue, reguette, rumex crêpu, oseille crépue, rumex crépu
Ita: romice conglomerato
Sme: smarvejuopmu
Cym: tafol crych, tafol crychion, tafolen grech, tafolen grych
Gla: copóg chatach
Tur: kivircik labada
Nob: krushøymol
Nno: krushøymole
Kat: ჩვეულებრივი ღოლო
En: Curled dock, Curly dock, Yellow dock, Sour dock, Broad-leaved Dock, Butter Dock, CURLEY DOCK, Narrowleaf dock, Indian tobacco, Curly-leaved dock, Narrow-leaved dock, Crisped Dock, Great Water Dock
Af: Weeblaar, Krultongblaar, Krulsuring
Ar: حماض (حُمَّاض)، حميض (حُمِّيض), حماض أصفر, حماض جعد, حماض مجعد
Hy: Ավելուկ գանգուր
Be: Шчаўе кучаравае
Bg: Къдрав лапад
Ca: Paradella crespa
Zh: Zhou ye suan mo, 小酸模, 皱叶酸模, 皺葉酸模
Co: Romiccia, Rumiccia, Spinitriculu
Hr: Štavelj
Cs: Šťovík kadeřavý
Da: Kruset Skræppe
Nl: Krulzuring
Et: Kärnoblikas
Fi: Poimuhierakka
Fr: Reguette, Rumex crêpu, Patience crépu, Oseille crépue, Oseille à feuilles de patience, Parelle, Patience crépue, Rumex crépu, Patience, Grande Parelle
Ka: Ჩვეულებრივი ღოლო
De: Krauser Ampfer, Grottenstengel, Roter-Heinrich
He: חומעה מסולסלת
Hu: Fodros lórom
Is: Hrukkunjóli
Ga: Copóg chatach
It: Romice conglomerato, Romice crespo, Lapazio, Romice crespa, Rómice cavolaia, Rómice crespo
Ko: 소리쟁이
Lv: Cirtainā skābene
Lt: Rauktalapė rūgštynė
Nv: Dééłjáád
Se: Smarvejuopmu
No: Krushøymol
Nb: Krushøymol
Nn: Krushøymole
Fa: ترشک مواج
Pl: Szczaw kędzierzawy
Pt: Lingua-de-vaca, Azeda-crespa, Labaca-crespa, Língua-de-vaca, Língua-de-vaca-crespa
Pt-br: Paciência, Labaça-crespa, Labaça-selvagem, Língua-de-vaca
Qu: Llaqi
Ro: Dragavei, Ștevie creață
Ru: Щавель курчавый
Gd: Copóg chatach
Sk: Štiavec kučeravý
Es: Aceda de culebra, Acedera brava, Acedera de perro, Acedera de sapo, Acedera, Acederones, Acederón, Aciderones, Arromalgas, Azaderones, Capachos, Carbana, Carbano, Carbaza, Carbazana, Carbeña, Carbéi, Carpaza, Colanca, Engorda-puercos, Espinaca bravía, Hidrolapato menor, Hidrolápato menor, Hierba de la paciencia, Hoja de restrallo, Hoja de romance, Hoja de sapo, Hydrolapato menor, Kodrastolistna kislica, Lampaza, Lampazo, Lapaza, Leitarega, Lengua de buey, Lengua de vaca, Llampaza, Llapazo, Mastranzo, Nabiza, Paciencia, Paciencias, Paniega, Ramagón, Rizada, Romanza, Romanzas, Romaza crespa, Romaza rizada, Romaza, Romazas, Ruibarbo silvestre, Rumaza, Rábano cordero, Rábano, Tabaco, Tabaquera, Tabaqueros, Tallos de perro, Vinagrera, Vinagreras, Yerba mulata, Labaça-crespa, Acedera crispada
Sv: Krusskräppa, Kaffeväxt, Krussyra, Svinsyra
Zh-tw: 小酸模
Zh-hant: 小酸模
Tr: Kıvırcık labada, Kivircik labada
Uk: Щавель кучерявий
Cy: Tafolen grech, Tafol Crych, Tafol Crychion, Tafolen Grych
Synonyms
- Rumex patientia var. crispus ((L.) Kuntze)
- Rumex crispus var. littoralis (Vayr.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Alaska (introduced)
- Alberta (introduced)
- Amur (introduced)
- Angola (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Brazil West-Central (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile North (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Crozet Is. (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- Desventurados Is. (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Easter Is. (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Eritrea (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Falkland Is. (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Føroyar (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Iceland (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
- Kansas (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Kerguelen (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Lesotho (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Macquarie Is. (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Manitoba (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Mexico Central (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Namibia (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- North Dakota (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Northwest Territorie (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Panamá (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Prince Edward I. (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Saskatchewan (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- South Dakota (introduced)
- South Georgia (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Sudan (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
- Yukon (introduced)
- Zambia (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 30, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2018 by Ángel Varela (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Mar 6, 2020 by Jana H. (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 17, 2017 by Steve Casto (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 27, 2019 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 23, 2020 by Antonio Montes (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 13, 2020 by sidpur (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 27, 2019 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 27, 2019 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jun 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Romain Gremaud (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2019 by Gerard Elliott (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2021 by Jérémi Dupin (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:224413-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8195144)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rumex crispus L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 8