Curly Dock
Rumex crispus · Perennial broadleaf weed (often managed alongside turfgrass)
Grass Family
Polygonaceae, subfamily Polygonoideae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9
About This Grass
Forms a basal rosette of oblong, dark green leaves with conspicuously wavy or curled margins, sending up erect, smooth flowering stems that turn reddish-brown at maturity with dense, rust-colored seed clusters.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse, oblong to lanceolate leaves with wavy margins, alternate arrangement, prominent central veins, membranous stipules (ocrea) sheathing the stem, lacking true grass blades.
Root System
Deep, fleshy, yellow-orange taproot that allows it to survive severe drought and regenerate if broken off.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Western Asia; now widespread globally
Growth Habit
Bunch-type taproot perennial
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade, adaptable to moist or dry soils, highly drought-tolerant once established.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance to control; resistant to close mowing due to deep taproot; manual removal or selective broadleaf herbicides required.
Special Characteristics
Extremely persistent weed with high seed production, poor wear tolerance in turf settings, highly adaptable to disturbed soils.
Ecological Information
Introduced weed species, provides minimal wildlife food value, acts as an indicator of compacted or poorly drained soils.