92 



POLYGONACEAE (BUCKWHEAT FAMILY') 



Seed-time: July to October. 



Range : Throughout the United States and southern British America. 



Habitat: Meadows, pastures, farmyards, and waste places. 



The root of this plant is spindle-shaped, thick, yellow, often two 

 or three feet long. Stem two to four feet tall, erect, slender, 

 smooth, finely grooved, simple or with a few branches near the top. 

 Basal leaves oblong lance-shaped, 

 six inches to more than a foot in 

 length, with margins usually wavy- 

 curled ; petioles long and stout ; 

 upper leaves much smaller, with 

 shorter petioles. Flowers in large, 

 simple or compound racemes, often 

 more than a foot in length, growing 

 in crowded whorls on slender, jointed 

 pedicels ; they are small and green- 

 ish, without petals, but having six 

 stamens ; styles three, with stigmas 

 tufted ; calyx of six sepals in 

 double rows of three, the inner ones 

 heart-shaped, beautifully veined, 

 uniting to form valves that enclose 

 the seed, giving it triple wings, 

 which assists its distribution by 

 wind ; all three valves have a rather 

 thick, rounded, corky tubercle on 

 the back. Achenes three-sided, 

 plump, with rounded tips, smooth, 

 shining, about one-twelfth of an inch 

 long. Birds are very fond of them 

 and forage on the brown, weather- 

 beaten panicles all winter. They are a very common impurity 

 of clover and alfalfa seeds ; and, though the task of removing them 

 is difficult, it is not so strenuous as grubbing Docks. (Fig. 53.) 



Means of control 



Prevent seed production. In order to destroy the perennial 

 roots, deep and frequent cutting, with hoe or spud, is necessary 



FIG. 53. Yellow or Curled Dock 

 (Rumex crispus). X |. 



