Rumex salicifolius
willow dock
Overview
Rumex salicifolius is a herbaceous perennial 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall, forming clumps of slender, erect to spreading stems from a woody root crown. The leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) long, tapering at both ends and resembling willow foliage, blue-green to grey-green with a waxy surface. Small greenish flowers are carried in slender whorled clusters along the upper stems from late spring into summer, each flower lacking petals and built from six tepals. As the fruit ripens the inner tepals enlarge into three winged valves that turn tan to reddish-brown, enclosing a single glossy three-sided seed. The plant grows along streambanks, wet meadows, lake margins, and seasonally moist disturbed ground at low to middle elevations. Native across western North America, it tolerates seasonal flooding and a range of soils, including alkaline and saline sites. It dies back to the root crown in winter and regrows in spring. It self-sows freely where soil stays moist and can spread into open ground.
Native Range
Rumex salicifolius is native to western North America, from Alaska and western Canada south through the western United States to Mexico. It grows along streams, wet meadows, lake shores, and moist disturbed ground from coastal lowlands to mountain valleys.Suggested Uses
Used in streamside and wet-meadow restoration and in rain gardens or pond margins where soil stays damp. Grown in native and wildlife plantings for its seed, which is eaten by birds. Suited to naturalized moist areas rather than formal borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
greenish, aging reddish-brownFoliage Description
blue-green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Rumex salicifolius grows in full sun to part shade on moist to wet soils and tolerates seasonal flooding, alkaline, and mildly saline ground. It establishes easily from seed sown in autumn or spring on damp soil and from divisions of the root crown. Consistent soil moisture sustains the foliage; plants wilt and go dormant early in dry conditions. No fertilizer is needed on average soils. It self-seeds freely and can colonize open moist ground. Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it dies back in winter and resprouts from the crown in spring.Pruning
Spent flowering stems can be cut to the base after the fruit drops to limit self-seeding. Foliage is cut back to the crown in late autumn or left to die down naturally. No other pruning is required.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall