Species › Plants › Curly Dock

Curly Dock

Rumex crispus

CommonPlant
Illustration of Curly Dock (Rumex crispus)

Curly Dock is a European perennial weed naturalized throughout North America, with characteristic curly-edged basal leaves and tall stalks of reddish-brown seeds that persist through winter. The seeds are an important food for many grassland birds, especially during winter. Young leaves are edible and nutritious if cooked.

Habitat
Roadsides, disturbed areas, meadows, and waste places across North America
Diet
Seeds eaten by many birds including sparrows, finches, and horned larks
How common
Common

Best time to see a Curly Dock

The best time to see a Curly Dock is March–June, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 23,993 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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