DESCRIPTIVE MANUAL 



75 



Fig. 40-A. Distribution of Curled Dock.' 



and after flowering forming the valves of the fruit, which surround 

 the 3-angled fruit, each valve bearing a grain. The B. aitissimus 

 Wood, occurs in low ground, and is from 2-6 ft. high, with leaVes 

 oblong, lanceolate, acute, pale, thickish, but without curled margins 

 as in B. crispus L., and longer; racemes long, spikelike, panicled, 

 nearly leafless ; has a conspicuous grain. 



Distribution.— It is native to Europe where it has long been known 

 as a troublesome weed ; common throughout eastern North America, 

 Pacific coast, and Rocky mountains; abundant in Iowa in clover 

 meadows, along roadsides and in pastures. 



Chemical Composition. — The following analysis has been re- 

 ported.* 



Extermination. — One of the most efficient means of destroying 

 this weed is to root it out by the hand and this is done very readily 

 in the spring when the soil is wet by taking hold of the plant just at 

 the surface of the ground, giving the root a slight twist and at the 

 same time an upward pull, when it will readily come from the soil. 

 Where it is common, however, it is sometimes plowed or a spud is 

 used. This method is not, however, so effective as the pulling 

 method. 



*Storer and Anderson. 



