A dock for ID

davidbr · #1 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 07:59 PM

Can anyone give me an opinion as to the identity of this Rumex sp., photographed today 27/10/08. I know what I think it is, but I'm not great on docks so could use some extra help...

stigofthedump · #2 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 08:27 PM

Hi Sticking my neck out here, but would go with Rumex crispus.

Vince

KeenTeen17 · #3 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 10:28 PM

yep. looks like it to me. great job vince!

Lancashire Lad · #4 (**permalink**) 27-10-2008, 11:52 PM

The leaves look slightly on the broad side for R.crispus, i.e. Collins guide (Paul Sterry) states "narrow, to 25cm long, with wavy edges".

I'd be inclined to suggest this might be a crispus hybrid, of which there are at least a couple that are fairly common in the Gloucestershire area.

Regards
Mike.

davidbr · #5 (**permalink**) 28-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

The leaves look slightly on the broad side for R.crispus, i.e. Collins guide (Paul Sterry) states "narrow, to 25cm long, with wavy edges".

I'd be inclined to suggest this might be a crispus hybrid, of which there are at least a couple that are fairly common in the Gloucestershire area.

Regards
Mike.

I think you're probably right. I'd originally thought it was Rumex crispus, except the leaves just didn't seem right - a hybrid would explain why. Looking at the literature it seems to match Rumex x pratensis, the hybrid between Curled Dock, R.crispus and Broad-leaved Dock R.obtusifolius, which is meant to be intermediate between the parents.

I don't have a lot of experience with hybrid docks, so this one would have totally thrown me!

Lancashire Lad · #6 (**permalink**) 28-10-2008, 11:23 AM

That was my initial thoughts, on the lower leaves especially - They just don't seem to be "crinkly" enough, for a pure crispus.

As I've said elsewhere though, I'm no expert, and am only going from a photo, with information that I have to hand, or am able to find from the internet.

I've seen numerous instances of ID responses where several different ID's have been attributed to the same photo. So we always have to take what we read with some caution.

In cases where an absolutely positive ID can't be made, I just log my finds down as for example in this case "Rumex sp. possibly crispus hybrid", or something similar.

Regards
Mike.