Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Rumex hydrolapathum 

Other names

Giant Water Dock, Great Water Dock

Family

Polygonaceae

Flowering season

July to September

English distribution

It is found throughout the country but is less common

in the North and the far Southwest.

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland –

Water Dock

Habitat

It grows on the edges of slow-moving freshwater habitats,

such as, rivers, streams, canals, lakes, ditches, marshes

and fens. It is a feature of the rhynes (drainage canals

and ditches) of the Somerset Levels.

Description

Water Dock is a native, large-leaved, perennial herb,

growing up to 2m.

The flowerheads are large and branched, with the whorls

of flowers crowded on the stem.

Individual flowers have 6, green, sepaloid, perianth

segments.

There are 6 stamens with creamy-yellow anthers.

There are 3 styles with white, much divided stigmas.

The tepals are triangular and slightly toothed.

The tubercles are elongated, white to pink and smooth.

 The basal leaves are large, up to 110cm, and

lanceolate to ovate.

Stem leaves are smaller.