Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Denseflowered Dock
Rumex densiflorus
Smartweed-Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae)

This is a relatively common and, because of its height, a very noticeable plant along high mountain rivulets. Very tiny flowers are in tight clusters and, as is the case with other Rumex species, they do not draw the attention of passing hikers. But when the plant goes to abundant red and green seed, it is usually noticed. The plant was described by George Osterhout in 1898.


©2013 Al Schneider

Description

plants with horizontal creeping rootstocks. Stems to 3' tall, erect, branched above the middle, . Leaves to 15" long, upright, elliptical or - or , upper leaves gradually reduced, prominent. Flowers and on same plant, in dense clusters. bell-shaped, green, pink, or red brown, 1/12 to 1/8" long. an .

Field Marks

Tall water loving plant with very large leaves and very small flowers in very dense clusters.

© Al Schneider

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.

venation -- The arrangemnet of veins in a leaf.

achene -- a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. For example, a rose hip holds a few achenes.

Flowers with both stamens and pistils are bisexual. Also called "perfect flowers".

perianth -- the non-reproductive part of the flower such as petals and sepals.

ovate -- Oval, egg-shaped, with a tapering point.

A unisexual flower has either stamens or pistils, but not both.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

glabrous -- smooth, glossy, having no bristles or hair-like structures. Bald.

lanceolate -- Lance-shaped. Long, wider in the middle.

oblong -- Having an elongated form with somewhat parallel sides. Rectangular.