Rumex aquaticus

Rumex aquaticus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Rumex
Species:
R. aquaticus
Binomial name
Rumex aquaticus
Synonyms[1]
  • Lapathum aquaticum (L.) Scop.
  • Rumex caldeirarum H.C.Watson ex Meisn.
  • Rumex helolapathum Drejer ex Hornem.
  • Rumex herba-britannicus Horv.
  • Rumex paludosus Huds.
  • Rumex rheifolius Schult. & Schult.f.
  • Rumex schischkinii Losinsk.

Rumex aquaticus is a flowering plant in the knotweed family, Polygonaceae. It is native to temperate Eurasia.[1] It is commonly known as the western dock found in aquatic environments.

Identification

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Rumex aquaticus can be identified by its upright, reddish stout, large leaves shaped like hearts around the base and smaller leaves around the stalk. It can grow to about 1.8 m (6 ft) tall.[2] When flowering, Rumex aquaticus can be identified by its red, pink, and green 3 sepal flowers surrounding the stalk.

Habitat

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Rumex aquaticus is native to temperate Eurasia. It is considered a waterside plant due to it needing nutrient rich, watery soil to grow.[2] Examples of where this plant may grow include lakeside, sides of streams and rivers, or any other environment with access to shallow water.

Distribution

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Rumex aquaticus is a hermaphrodite (both male and female) and is pollinated by wind.[2] The seeds require a moist environment for germination but cannot germinate if submerged in water.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rumex aquaticus L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanical Gardens Kew. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Rumex aquaticus Red Dock, Western dock PFAF Plant Database". pfaf.org. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
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