Rumex sanguineus L.
Blood Dock
Wood Dock is a native perennial of shady, damp ground, typically found in woodland, along hedge banks, on ditch sides and in other cool, moist corners across much of Britain. It forms a basal rosette and an upright, often reddish-tinged stem usually 30 to 100cm tall, bearing narrow, oblong leaves.
About
Wood Dock is a native perennial of shady, damp ground, typically found in woodland, along hedge banks, on ditch sides and in other cool, moist corners across much of Britain. It forms a basal rosette and an upright, often reddish-tinged stem usually 30 to 100cm tall, bearing narrow, oblong leaves. The familiar red-veined ornamental sold as bloody dock is the variety sanguineus, while the common wild plant is typically the plain green-leaved form. Its small greenish flowers are carried in slender, interrupted whorls along wiry branches and ripen to tiny three-sided nutlets.
It grows happily on most fertile, moisture-retentive soils in partial to full shade, tolerating conditions that defeat many flowering plants. The wind-pollinated flowers are not showy, so the plant earns its place for foliage and structure rather than colour, and its seeds are taken by finches and other birds. It is most at home in woodland-edge plantings, shady wildlife corners and damp naturalistic schemes rather than open meadows.
Also known as
Blood Sorrel · Redvein dock · Wood Dock · bloodwort dock · bloody dock
Synonyms
Acetosa sanguinea · Lapathon sylvaticum · Lapathum nemorosum · Lapathum sanguineum · Lapathum viride · Rumex acutus · Rumex auratus · Rumex aureus · Rumex condylodes · Rumex condylodes sanguinalis
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.