Pale dock

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Pale dock inflorescence

Pale dock anthers

Pale dock flowering

Pale dock inflorescence

Pale dock valves

Pale dock leaf

Pale dock habit

Pale dock stem

Pale dock flowers

Pale dock

Pale dock leaves

Morphology

Stem

Erect, stout, ribbed, branched below inflorescence or unbranched.

Leaves

Alternate, simple, flat, not crisped; basal leaves long-stalked, lanceolate to narrowly-elliptic, 4 to 10 inches long, 1-2 inches wide, glabrous, bright green to pale green; midvein prominent; margins entire to irregularly scalloped; tips pointed; stem leaves smaller, numerous.

Inflorescence

Panicle of whorled racemes, 2.5 to 12 inches long, loose, terminal; branches few, ascending.

Flower

Stalk 1/8 to 1/5 inch long; perianth segments 6, in 2 whorls of 3, united basally; outer 3 segments small, not turned downward in fruit; inner whorl enlarging, segments egg-shaped to elliptic at flowering, later heart-shaped, called "valves"; valves greenish to reddish-brown, 1/6 to 1/4 inch long and wide; tip blunt; margin entire; 1 or more valves with small tubercle (wart-like swelling) more than 1/2 length of valve; stamens 6.

Fruit

Achene, 1/12 to 1/8 inch long, 3-angled, dark brown, enveloped by valves; seed 1, small.

Ecology

Habitat

Open wet places, waste ground, ditches, roadsides, low areas in fields; moist soil.

Distribution

Throughout Kansas.

Reproduction

Reproduces by seed.

Practical Information

Toxicity

Contains oxalates, but poisoning has not been reported.

Uses

The Lakota used the plant to treat diarrhea and stomach cramps and the Dakota created a poultice from the green leaves which they applied to boils. Wildlife eat the seeds. Nesting site for some songbirds.

Additional Notes