Dock plant or dock leaf is a perennial native plant usually referred to simply as ‘dock’. While generally considered a weed in gardens due to its abundant seeding and persistent, vigorous growth, dock is an excellent wildlife plant as the leaves are an important food plant for many insects, including caterpillars, which are eaten by birds and hedgehogs. Applying dock leaves to soothe nettle strings is a traditional remedy.
What are dock leaves?Dock is a large-leaved and deep-rooted perennial plant. Two species are widespread in the UK: broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and curled dock (Rumex crispus). Both species of dock are listed as ‘injurious’ under the Weeds Act of 1959 which was created with the aim of preventing their spread onto agricultural land, but it’s not an offence to have docks growing in a garden.
There are other, unrelated, native plants that have ‘dock’ in their names, which are not related to broad-leaved or curled dock. These include burdock (Arctium minus) and common bistort (Persicaria bistorta) which is also known as ‘passion dock’.
Where do dock leaves grow?Dock grows freely in gardens, farmland, and marginal land, particularly on bare soil and newly cultivated ground as the seeds remain viable for many decades. Dock also grows in lawns.
What does a dock leaf look like?Dock plants form a rosette of large, broad, mid green leaves which are smooth-edged in the case of broad-leaved dock and wavy edged in the case of curly or yellow dock. The leaves grow rapidly to around 30cm long. In summer tall stems of tiny greenish-white flowers grow to 80-100cm high, turning reddish and then dark brown as the seeds ripen.
Controlling dock leavesWhile dock is a beneficial wildlife plant that should be
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