15 



Imports and prices. — During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1903, 



the imports of taraxacum or dandelion root into the United States 



amounted to 115,522 pounds. The price per pound ranges from 1 to 6 



cents. 



DOCKS. 



Rumex species. 



Several species of docks possess medicinal properties. Among 

 these are the yellow dock {Rumex crispus L.), the broad-leaved dock 

 (R. obtrusifolius L.), and the yellow-rooted water dock (R. hritannica 

 L.), all more or less abundant throughout the United States. Other 

 species are also recognized as possessing value in medicine, but those 

 above mentioned are the kinds generally collected. 



Yellow Dock. 

 Rumex crispus L. 



Other common names. — Curled dock, narrow dock, sour dock. (Fig. 5.) 



Range and habitat. — The species most commonly employed in 



medicine is the yellow dock, a perennial introduced from Europe and 



#s^R*5 



~~ --^M^PKt^^Bs'S;: 



Fig. 5.— Yellow dock (Rurnez crispus L.) . First year's growth. 



now found throughout the United States as a troublesome and very 

 persistent weed in cultivated as well as waste ground, among rubbish 

 heaps, and along roadside-. 



Description. — The deep, spindle-shaped root sends up an erect, 

 angular, and furrowed stem about 2 to 4 feet high, leafy, branching 

 near the top, and bearing numerous elongated clusters of inconspicuous 



188 



