1 26 
WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
the seedcase (inferior) ; stamens 6, 4 in two pairs opposite the 2 outer perianth-lobes, the 
remaining 2 opposite the 2 inner perianth-lobes, inserted at the base of the perianth 
(hypogynous) ; carpels 2, united into the seedcase and separating into 2 short styles, each 
surmounted with a feathery stigma, which is wind pollinated ; fruit nut-like, flattened, with a 
broad membranous wing, small, dry, decaying to free the solitary seed (achene). The stem is 
6-10 inches high, erect, slender, unbranched, and almost leafless; and the leaves are usually 
all from the root on long stalks, roundish heart-shaped (orbicular-cordate) or kidney-shaped 
(reniform). The whole plant has an agreeable acid taste. \Plate 42. 
Rare. On damp rocky ledges and by the side of mountain streams near the summit of mountains 
in Wales, the north of England, and Scotland. June — August. Perennial. 
IV. DOCK. (RUMEX. Linn.) — Flowers small, numerous, in small circular clusters (whorl-like) 
up the stem (racemes), usually much branched (panicles). Perianth of 6 lobes, in 2 rows, the 
3 inner lobes enlarging and closing over the fruit, inserted below the seedcase (inferior) ; stamens 
6, in pairs, inserted between the perianth-lobes ; carpels 3, united into a seedcase and separating 
into 3 styles, each surmounted with a feathery stigma ; fruit nut-like, 3-sided, 1 -seeded, decaying 
to free the seed (indehiscent). Herbs with alternate leaves and yellowish sheathing stipules, never 
fringed, but soon becoming torn. 
Flowers perfect ; leaves sometimes heart-shaped but never halbert-shaped. 
(1) Sharp Dock. (Rumex conglomerates.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes oblong, entire, each 
with a large wart on the back ; leaves lance-shaped, rounded or heart-shaped at 
the base. 
(2) Shore Dock. (Rumex rupes'tris.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes oblong, entire, each with 
a large wart on the back ; leaves narrow and tapering at the base. Maritime 
species. 
(3) Bloody-veined Dock. (Rumex sanguin'eus.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes oblong, entire, 
one with a large wart on the back ; leaves lance-shaped or oblong, usually heart-shaped, 
with red veins. 
(4) Golden Dock. (Rumex marit'imus.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes bright yellow, inch 
long, 4-sided, with 2 bristly teeth on each side and a narrow oblong wart on the back ; 
leaves narrowly lance- or strap-shaped. 
(5) Yellow Marsh Dock. (Rumex limosus.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes bright yellow, ^ inch 
long, 4-sided, with 2 or 3 shorter bristly teeth on each side and a narrow oblong wart 
on the back. 
(6) Fiddle Dock. (Rumex pul'cher.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes oblong-triangular, deeply 
toothed, warts prickly, unequal ; leaves chiefly from the root, fiddle or oblong heart- 
shaped. 
(7) Broad-leaved Dock. (Rumex obtusifolius.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes triangular, strongly 
toothed, warts red or brown ; lower leaves broadly egg-shaped, heart-shaped at the 
base. 
(8) Curled Dock. (Rumex cris'pus.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes heart-shaped, not toothed, 
one only with a wart ; leaves all lance-shaped, narrow, very much crisped. 
(9) Long-leaved Water Dock. (Rumex domdsticus.) — Enlarged perianth-lobes roundish 
and heart-shaped, neither toothed nor warted ; leaves long, lance-shaped, slightly 
crisped. 
