11. Rumex Occidentalis S. Wats. Western Dock

Fig. 1607

R. occidentalis S. Wats. Proc. Am. Acad. 12: 253. 1876.

Perennial, glabrous, stem stout, strict, erect or nearly so, strongly grooved, simple or sparingly branched, 2°-3° high. Leaves lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, bluish-green, somewhat crisped and wavy-margined, papillose, the lower 8'-12' long, obtuse or subacute at the apex, more or less cordate at the base, long-petioled, the upper smaller and usually lanceolate; panicle rather dense, leafless or nearly so, erect; racemes usually not interrupted; flowers loosely whorled; calyx pale green, 1" long; pedicels obscurely jointed below the middle, 2-3 times longer than the calyx-wings; wings triangular-ovate, 2 1/2"-4" long, somewhat dentate or undulate, bearing no tubercles; achene oblong, 2"-2i" long, short-pointed, chestnut-brown, smooth, shining.

In wet places, Labrador to Alaska, Ontario, Maine and in the Rocky Mountains to Texas and to California. May-Aug.

12. Rumex Crispus L. Curled Or Narrow Dock

Fig. 1608

Rumex crispus L. Sp. PI. 335. 1753.

?Rumex elongatus Guss. PI. Rar. Neap. 150. 1826.

Perennial, glabrous, dark green; stem rather slender, erect, simple or branched above, grooved, 1°-3 1/20 tall. Leaves crisped and wavy-margined, the lower oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 6'-12' long, long-petioled, the upper narrowly oblong or lanceolate, 3'-6' long, short-petioled, all cordate or obtuse at the base, more or less papillose; panicle rather open; racemes simple or compound, by the elongation of the pedicels apparently continuous in fruit; flowers rather loosely whorled; calyx dark green; fruiting pedicels 1 1/2-2 times as long as the calyx-wings, jointed near the base; wings cordate, 1 1/2"-2" long, truncate or notched at base, erose-dentate, or nearly entire, each bearing a tubercle; achene 1" long, dark brown, shining.

In fields and waste places nearly throughout the United States and southern British America. Often a troublesome weed. Sour or yellow dock. Also in the West Indies and Mexico. Naturalized from Europe. Native also of Asia. Hybridizes with R. obtusifolius L. June-Aug.

13. Rumex Conglomeratus Murr. Clustered Or Smaller Green Dock

Fig. 1609

R. conglomeratus Murr. Prodr. Fl. Goett. 52. 1770.

Perennial, glabrous, pale green; stem slender, erect, simple or branched, grooved, 1°-3° tall. Leaves ovate, oblong or lanceolate, 1'-5' long, some of them slightly fiddle-shaped, acute at the apex, obtuse at the base, crenulate and slightly crisped on the margins, petioled; panicle loose and open in fruit; racemes leafy, slender, ascending, much interrupted: flowers loosely whorled; calyx small, green; pedicels shorter than or equalling the cnlyx-wings. jointed near the base; wings ovate, fiddle-shaped, 1 1/2" long, toothed near the base, each bearing a large oblong callosity; achene less than 1" long, pointed, red, smooth, its faces convex.

In waste places, Virginia to South Carolina. Also in California and Washington. Naturalized from Europe. May-July.