Question: Is Curly Dock invasive? I inherited a garden and I wonder if the previous owner planted it. I find herbs …
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Question
Is Curly Dock invasive? I inherited a garden and I wonder if the previous owner planted it. I find herbs and plants in the oddest places throughout the yard that have a history of medicinal uses and I suspect she might have intentionally planted this. The house itself is full of Yankee ingenuity that harks back to the 19th century so it would follow that she planted plants from that time period as well.
Answer
Dear susanmccaslin, Rumex crispus (curly dock) is typically invasive, though it can form some large clumps at times. It is very capable of showing up in strange situations, and may have not been planted (though, as you noted, it is an important medicinal plant with evidence-based research to support its efficacy). I do not know for certain the plants you have pictured are this species. I would need a closer view of the mature flowers. There are several species that look very similar to this one at distance. Best wishes.
