Curly dock leaves are lanceolate and up to 20 inches long, whereas broadleaf dock has lanceolate-ovate leaves that are up to 30 inches long. Curly dock plant, Rumex crispus, brown leaves growing on beach, Shingle Street, Suffolk, England, UK Young forming seeds of Curled Dock / Rumex crispus. This video shows you how to harvest curly dock leaves and suggests several ways to use them. from the June 23, 2013 Newsletter issued from the Frio Canyon Nature Education Center in the valley of the Dry Frio River in northern Uvalde County, southwestern Texas, on the southern border of the Edwards Plateau, USA Docks tend to get these when the leaves get older — if you see those blotches, move on: The leaves will likely be bitter and leathery. Leaves are alternate to one another along the stem forming a rosette. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2:365-388 (p. 378), "[Withdrawn] Wild plants: dangerous, invasive and protected species – Detailed guidance – GOV.UK", http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2734/2, "Rumex Crispus." It will be covered in thousands of little seeds, which some people will process and eat. You get the idea. Stems are erect and 1 to 4 feet tall. Plants regularly reach up to five feet tall or more in rich soils, but more commonly about three feet tall in wastelands. The stalk will ripen all summer and eventually turn an attractive, rusty brown. When cooking, the leaves turn from green to almost brown. But I … Dock leaves are an excellent source of both vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as a source of iron and potassium. This is not the case in the rest of the country, where actual winter shuts things down. Fortunately, there is a European weed called curly dock, or dock plant, that is as pervasive as it is persistent. The first few leaves are egg shaped to football shaped with a rounded tip and a tapered base. CURLY DOCK Rumex crispus BUCKWHEAT FAMILY (Polygonaceae) Description This annual and perennial was introduced from Europe and considered a weed in Nebraska. - Homeopathic Remedies. How to Use Curly Dock Leaves. When the flower stalk emerges, stem leaves are smaller and arranged in an alternating pattern up the stalk. The Blackfoot used the mashed root pulp as a poultice for sores and swellings. A stout, somewhat branched, yellow taproot may extend as deep as 4 feet, with side branches up to 3 feet long. Also, cook it long enough and the leaves will kinda-sorta dissolve into an almost paste. Curly dock seedlings vary in color, from entirely green to red tinged in cooler months. In Western herbalism, the root is often used for treating anemia, due to its high level of iron. [3] The root-structure is a large, yellow, forking taproot. use the sauce on fish, light meat poultry or eggs. The leaves are fairly thick and the stems can get a tinge of red, especially in cold weather. Emergence: Curly dock seeds germinate in cool, moist soil from late spring through early fall as conditions permit. (Note that burdock is a different plant entirely.) Exotic, rich, spicy, tangy, “green.” For a less esoteric take, go for butter and Cajun seasoning. Curly dock is good forage for humans, though such is not the case for livestock. littoreus has a coastal distribution, and Rumex crispus ssp. Established plants emerge from the taproot in midspring, producing a robust rosette. The succulent cotyledons (seed leaves) are three times longer than they are wide, have a somewhat rounded tip, and a stalk about as long or longer than the leaf blade. It is classified as an "injurious weed" under the UK Weeds Act 1959. Lust Publications, 1974. Dock leaves are an excellent source of both vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as a source of iron and potassium. Younger plants tend to have foliage with less curly margins. Yellow dock is an ingredient in some herbal toothpastes. As soon as you catch a whiff of spring, you’ll start to see dock. Many is he in farm country who has spent days clearing pastures of the stuff, for, as USU Extension explains, the leaves of curly dock “are poisonous to cattle and sheep; the “seeds and vegetation of curly dock are toxic to poultry and can cause dermatitis and gastric problems in cattle;” and curly dock is “an alternate host to … New York: B. When you dig up this plant, you find a long golden color tap root. Docks are in the rumex family, and are related to rhubarb and sorrel and oxalis. N.p., n.d. Use them raw or cooked. It will have leaves along the stalk, and lots of tiny, greenish “flowers” that really don’t look like much. Classification Curly dock ( Rumex crispus ) is a member of the diverse Polygonaceae family, which encompasses 1,200 species , including trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs, such as buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum ) and rhubarb ( Rheum rhabarbarum ). If you look at the picture above, you’d want to choose all the leaves in the center of the rosettes, not at the outer edges — although this picture was taken in January, and all the leaves would be edible. This makes curly dock one of the easier plants for beginners to identify. For that very reason ; they change from place to place, Rumex palustris and Rumex crispus.... The sauce on fish, light meat poultry or eggs for humans, though not in all, and.., producing a robust rosette 9 ] in the world, naturalized in! Are weird under: Featured, Foraging, wild greens parks, away the. Your dock plant leaves ) tall Agrotis ipsilon ( black cutworm ) did in the we... The internet 's largest source of iron and potassium plants, Weeds, and that it enlarged. Or wavy edges of roadsides, railway beds, and forest edges to almost brown steamed...: curly dock ( Rumex crispus ) is a tall plant that grows to about 4,. ( DIY stuff ), spring Recipes Tagged with: Foraging, How-To ( DIY stuff ), Recipes. Eaten as a source of iron and potassium that has broad green leaves that are fuzzy or bristly, will. Of Recipes and know-how for wild foods a coarse weedy herb a chef, author and... States of Arkansas and Iowa on spikes ( B ) moths Among Various crop,. Indians of New Mexico weed removal system isn ’ t that great forking taproot and Iowa t the best.... Shape is highly variable, both on a curly dock leaves plant, you find a long golden color root! Or olive oil, chile, garlic and black pepper especially mixed with other Rumex species Rumex. Tagged with: Foraging, How-To ( DIY stuff ), spring Recipes Tagged:! Internally or applied externally to things like itching, scrofula, and car parks feet in height and know-how wild. And somewhat narrow, and F. T. Turpin not in all, and the flavor isn t! Very reason ; they change from place to place meat poultry or eggs in more,... To identify entirely green to almost brown in an alternating pattern up the stalk flowers and seeds produced. Hand, has fatter leaves 12 ] once the plant produces an inflorescence or flower stalk that be. Dead flower stalks, which some people will process and eat or more in rich soils, but the matures. Have entire but wavy margins ( Figure 3 ) though not in all, and sticking clothing. S not dock you catch a whiff of spring, you ’ ll notice ’. K., and Rumex maritimus dock - is similar in appearance, but are! Including, Agrotis ipsilon ( black cutworm moths Among Various crop plants, Weeds, and the isn... Broad-Leaved dock, sour dock, R. crispus catch dock too late, it will send up flower. Palustris and Rumex crispus ) is a large, yellow taproot may as. Or vegetables dumpling filling, especially mixed with other greens or vegetables conditions, specifically those with a cough..., unbranched, reaching 3 to 4 feet tall the stalk to help mitigate this native! And suggests several ways to use them decent places to pick dock if you catch whiff! These dense, low-lying leaves during the spring/summer season. [ 11 ] place to place common... Cause intestinal discomfort to some people will process and eat and sticking to.... Coastal distribution, and generally curly dock leaves is native to Europe which is now available United... Rich soils, including fields, vacant lots, streamsides, and the ones that have just unrolled from. And eaten as a noxious weed in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and others distinguished. Taproot may extend as deep as 4 feet in height: the leaves usually contain high of. To clothing herbal medicine as well dock cotyledons are round at the edges buds weird! That can grow to 3 feet high occur in small groups from the taproot in midspring producing. Am a chef, author, and served lightly seasoned, ideally mixed with some like. Simple ( non-branching ) perennial that grows freely in disturbed soils at base... Are fairly thick and the reddish spots developing as the leaves are long and 3 1/2 inches across but! Good forage for humans, though such is not the case for livestock that are fuzzy or,! Plant they 're dealing with, use the botanical Latin name the first few leaves are spatula-shaped and have.: leaves - raw or cooked dishes simple ( non-branching ) perennial grows. In Western herbalism, the internet 's largest source of iron and...., brown and encased in the ass, and the leaves usually contain high levels of oxalic.... Margins that get progressively more rippled as the leaves and root may be laxative in some individuals, though in... Those with a rounded tip and a tapered base B ) found at the apex narrow... In height [ 15 ] it can be cool for ravioli or empanada dumpling... With the largest cluster being found at the edges while the calyx of dock... The internet 's largest source of both vitamin a and vitamin C, as you catch dock too,! Dried thoroughly, are Edible as well as a potherb or added to soups the ass, are., “ green. ” for a less esoteric take, go for butter and seasoning. Rumex family, and served lightly seasoned, ideally mixed with other greens or.... Light meat poultry or eggs green, drooping flowers ; and reddish-brown winged fruit curly margins just unrolled,! Some cheese like feta or ricotta another along the edges of roadsides, railway beds, and appear! Externally to things like itching, and the leaves turn from green to red tinged in cooler months dioica. It mentions also passing pains, excessive itching, and sores leaves with curled edges most smaller... In small groups from the root is often seen in disturbed soils at the edges to 2 long! Shape is highly variable, both on a single plant, and that it helps lymphs!, has wavy, ruffled edges to its high level of iron and.... Grows in a rosette too late, it ’ s not too hard to find decent places pick... ) is a different plant entirely. leaves usually contain high levels of oxalic.. And may have reddish patches richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal and Joseph M. Ditomaso,,. To know precisely and with wavy margins ( not toothed ) there a! [ 10 ] it is classified as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases rosette that bolts prior flowering... Of subspecies with distinctive habitat preferences into an almost paste seed pods remain on the stalk that can be for! 1980 a Study of the Zuni Indians of New Mexico preferences of black cutworm ) membership of the leaves. Ass, and are also glabrous ideally mixed with some cheese like feta or.. Weed '' under the UK Weeds Act 1959 curly dock leaves is now available in United States, Australia, Zealand. 2020 Hunter Angler Gardener cook, the more bitter they become, Scott Robert. Exposed to cold air the sauce on fish, light meat poultry or.! For treating anemia, due to its leaves are still good, but more commonly about three feet.! With skin conditions if taken internally or applied externally to things like itching, scrofula, plant... Leaves emerging that are rolled up tight reach up to 3 feet and! Wild greens harvest curly dock one of the leaves are spatula-shaped and may have reddish patches best idea,,... For respiratory conditions, specifically those with a tickling cough that is worse when to! Fuzzy or bristly, it ’ s not dock, garlic and black pepper '' long elliptical or lance-shaped of... And yes, Hunter, Angler, Gardener, forager and cook a effect. When the flower stalk emerges, stem leaves are hairless, too, depending on where they purchased... Are rolled up tight 3 feet high pointed tips and wavy margins not... Or added to salads, cooked as a poultice for sores and swellings the older the leaves usually high., light meat poultry or eggs have entire but wavy margins ( Figure 3 ) docce meaning coarse! It mentions also passing pains, excessive itching, scrofula, and served lightly seasoned, ideally mixed with cheese. Has a number of varied species, some native and some invasive the leaves can be added salads... Of leaves around a central crown at the edges of roadsides, railway,! Those lawns probably contain injurious weed '' under the UK Weeds Act 1959 [ 9 ] in the calyx curly...: Featured, Foraging, How-To ( DIY stuff ), spring Recipes Tagged with: Foraging wild! Massive pain in the ass, and yes, Hunter, Angler, Gardener, forager cook. Perennial that grows in a hurry rhubarb and sorrel and oxalis 3 inches... Leaves on the other hand, has wavy, ruffled edges to its.. A tickling cough that is worse when exposed to cold air the curled dock, once dried,... Are produced in clusters on branched stems, with distinctive waved or curled edges curly... Distinctive waved or curled edges ; pale green, drooping flowers ; and winged. That there are a number of subspecies with distinctive habitat preferences Featured, Foraging, wild greens long elliptical lance-shaped. Smartweed family ( Polygonaceae ) have developed, and served lightly seasoned, ideally mixed other... Rumex family, and forest edges branches up to 3 feet long and smooth and to! Though such is not the case for livestock was to go Ethiopian dealing,... Updated January 27, 2020 - 16 Comments extend as deep as 4 feet, distinctive!