Bitter Dock
Rumex obtusifolius
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Johann Georg Sturm (Painter: Jacob Sturm (en.wikipedia.org) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Rumex
- Species:
- Rumex obtusifolius
- USDA Symbol:
- RUOB
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green, red
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Mesapamea passer, White-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), Gaeides xanthoides, Hyllolycaena hyllus
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from deep taproot following fire or mowing disturbance.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in disturbed soils and pastures
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in moist soil without pretreatment. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI