Pale Dock

Rumex altissimus

Pale Dock

Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute.

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Polygonaceae
Genus:
Rumex
Species:
Rumex altissimus

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
4-6 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may, jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
Yellow, Green

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Canada: Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Common in floodplains and wet meadows