Phil Bendle Collection:Rumex obtusifolius (Broad-leaved Dock)

Kingdom:   Plantae
(Unranked):        Angiosperms
(Unranked):        Eudicots
(Unranked):        Core eudicots
Order:       Caryophyllales
Family:      Polygonaceae
Genus:      Rumex
Species:     R. obtusifolius
Binomial name: Rumex obtusifolius
Common name: Broad-leaved Dock, Bitter Dock, Bluntleaf Dock, Dock Leaf, Butter Dock

Rumex obtusifolius is a perennial weed, native to Europe but can now be found in many other countries around the world. Rumex obtusifolius is easily recognizable by its very large broad leaves (up to 35 cm long and 15 cm wide) and are hairy underneath and have long stalks. Some of the lower leaves having red stems. The edges of the leaves are slightly "crisped" or wavy.
The foliage of the plant can grow up to 1 m tall in height. The stems have nodes covered by an ocrea, a thin, paper-like membrane - a characteristic of the Polygonaceae family. It has a thick, strong taproot.
Large clusters of racemes contain green flowers that change to red as they mature appear June to April. They are held on a single stalk that grows above the leaves and blooms. The seeds produced are reddish-brown.
Seedlings can be identified by the oval leaves with red stems and rolled leaves sprouting from the centre of the plant.

Young plant
[1]

A group of plants sprouting
[2]

A plant collapsed on the ground

Top surface of a leaf.
[3]

The underside of the above leaf.
[4]

The seed heads.
[5]

Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information     https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

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