Curly Dock (Note: Plant in foreground is a broadleaf weed, background is Mixed Turfgrass)
Rumex crispus · Perennial broadleaf herb, C3 photosynthetic pathway, cool-season growth cycle
Grass Family
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family); not a true grass (Poaceae)
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed (Broadleaf), often found in Lawns and Pastures
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type / Naturally occurring species
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-10; extremely cold hardy and heat tolerant; dies back to the taproot in winter.
About This Grass
A hardy perennial weed with a tall, branched flower stalk reaching 1-4 feet. The stalk turns reddish-brown and papery upon maturity. Small green flowers are arranged in crowded clusters, followed by distinct three-winged fruits.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves (not blades) are 4-12 inches long, narrow, with strikingly wavy or 'curly' margins. They are dark green, hairless, and have a fleshy texture with a prominent midrib.
Root System
Large, deep, yellowish taproot that allows it to survive drought and mechanical removal; no rhizomes or stolons.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Western Asia; naturalized throughout North America and temperate regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Erect growth from a basal rosette; features a deep, fleshy yellow taproot
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; highly adaptable to various moisture levels but excels in moist, heavy soils; high drought tolerance once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance weed; mowing removes flower stalks but does not kill the basal rosette. Control requires deep digging of taproot or selective broadleaf herbicides.
Special Characteristics
High seed production (up to 40,000 seeds per plant); seeds can remain viable in soil for decades; toxic to livestock if consumed in large quantities due to oxalates.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in turf; provides food for some larvae of butterflies (e.g., Copper butterflies); often indicates compacted or poorly drained soil in landscape settings.