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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Rumex venosus

Rumex venosus Pursh

Veiny Dock, Winged Dock

Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: RUVE2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Stout, erect, leafy, reddish stems with conspicuous white sheaths at nodes and reddish-orange flowers in thick clusters.

The reddish-orange flower clusters are conspicuous in the late spring. Although their pale translucence and shape are reminiscent of clusters of begonias (hence one of the common names), this plant is not closely related to begonias. After flowering, the broad, sepal-like segments catch the wind and tumble the seed to new places. The similar Canaigre (pronounced can-i-gray) Desert Rhubarb (R. hymenosepalus), found in sandy areas from Wyoming south to southern California and western Texas, has sepal-like segments rarely more than 3/4" (2 cm) wide and stout stems growing from a cluster of thick roots; tannin extracted from its roots was used by early Spanish settlers to tan hides. A common name for many of the more weedy Rumex species is Sour Dock; the sour flavor comes from oxalic acid.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 16 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CA , CO , IA , ID , IN , KS , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OK , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB , MB , SK
Native Habitat: Open banks, ravines, grasslands, and sagebrush deserts, often where sandy.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Sandy

Benefit

Warning: The leaves of Rumex species can be toxic and in some cases fatal to animals if ingested in high quantities. Humans should also restrict intake of the leaves of these plants. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person�s age, weight, physical condition, an
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC		UPL		FAC	FAC		FAC	UPL	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rumex venosus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rumex venosus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rumex venosus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-02
Research By: TWC Staff

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