Seasonal Wild Flowers

Greek Dock

Rumex cristatus

Polygonaceae

June to July

It is found mostly in Greater London, the Southeast and is

thinly scattered elsewhere..

See the BSBI distribution map for Greek Dock

It grows on waste ground, rubbish tips and sand dunes,

and by paths and rivers.

It is a neophyte, which may have been introduced as a

contaminant of grass and clover seed. It has been

known in the wild beside rivers in London since the

1920s.

Greek Dock is a perennial herb, growing up to 2m.

Flowers (not shown) are in crowded whorls.

The plant shown here was seen at the end of August

when only the fruits were left on the flowering stems.

Fruits are broad, ovate nuts with small, irregular,

acute teeth.

Leaves are oblong-lanceolate.

Greek Dock on waste ground,

Isle of Portland, Dorset

Fruits on crowded whorls

Slightly toothed fruits

Basal leaves