L., Polygonaceae |
Present on Pacific Islands? yes
Primarily a threat at high elevations? no
Common name(s): [more details]
Chinese: dun ye suan mo |
English: bitter dock, bluntleaf dock, broad-leaved dock, broadleaf dock, celery seed |
French: oseille, parelle, patience à feuilles obtuses, patience sauvage, rumex à feuilles obtuses |
Japanese: ezo-no-gishi-gishi |
Spanish: acedera de hojas obtusas, acedera obtusifolia, bijuaca, engorda puercos, lengua de vaca, romaza de hojas grandes, romaza vulgar, vinagrillo, yerba mulata |
Habit: herb
Description: "Erect perennial herbs; stems 6-12 dm long, striate, glabrous. Leaves oblong-ovate to oblong-lanceolate, basal ones usually 25-45 cm long, 9-11 cm wide, cauline leaves 6-30 cm long, 2-11 cm wide, upper surface usually glabrous, lower surface usually papillose-pilose along veins, occasionally glabrous, margins subentire to erose, undulate, apex acuminate to obtuse, base truncate to subcordate, petioles usually 2-9 cm long, those of basal leaves up to 25 cm long. Flowers unisexual (and the plants monoecious), usually 14-24 in clusters, these arranged in racemose, sometimes branched inflorescences; staminate flowers with outer tepals 0.8-1 mm long, the valves membranous, 1-1.3 mm long; pistillate flowers with outer tepals 1-1.2 mm long, the valves membranous, 1.5-2 mm long, enlarging to 4-5 mm long and becoming narrowly cordate in fruit, margins with straight or slightly curved teeth, some of which are 1-1.2 mm long, at least 1 of the valves with a tubercle, the tubercles unequal, 0.6-2 mm long. Nuts dark brown, 2-2.4 mm long, the surface glossy" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1069).
Habitat/ecology: In Hawaii, "naturalized in relatively mesic, disturbed areas and sometimes in areas dominated by native species, 600-1,470 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1069). In New Zealand, "usually near habitations, also common to abundant elsewhere in pastures, river banks and open moist places, and a major weed of gardens and arable land. Plants are often very large and prolific around stockyards, cowsheds and other places with very high nitrogen levels" (Webb et al., 1988; p. 984).
Propagation: Seed. "The fruits...are lightweight and may be moved long distances by wind. They are also spread by moving in water and by adhering with mud to the clothes of man, his machinery, and the fur, feathers, and feet of animals" (Holm et al., 1977; p. 405).
Native range: Europe (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1069).
Presence:
Pacific | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands |
Hawaii (Big) Island |
introduced
invasive |
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1069)
Subsp. obtusifolius. Voucher cited: Rock 3464 (BISH) |
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands |
Kauai Island |
introduced
invasive |
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1069)
Subsp. obtusifolius |
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands |
Oahu Island |
introduced
invasive |
Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1069)
Subsp. obtusifolius |
Pacific Rim | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
Australia
Australia (continental) |
Australia (continental) | Hafliger, Toni J./Wolf, Matthias (1988) (p. 308) | |
China
China |
China (People's Republic of) |
native
|
Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013)
"Field margins, moist valleys; sea level to 100 m". |
Japan
Japan |
Japan |
native
|
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) |
Japan
Japan |
Japan |
introduced
|
Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 181)
var. agrestis (Fries) Celak |
Mexico
Mexico |
Mexico (United Mexican States) | Hafliger, Toni J./Wolf, Matthias (1988) (p. 308) | |
New Zealand
New Zealand |
New Zealand (country) |
introduced
invasive |
Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 984) |
South America (Pacific rim)
South America (Pacific rim) |
Chile (Republic of) | Hafliger, Toni J./Wolf, Matthias (1988) (p. 308) | |
South America (Pacific rim)
South America (Pacific rim) |
Colombia | Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 315) | |
Taiwan
Taiwan Island |
Taiwan Island |
native
|
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) |
Indian Ocean | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
La Réunion (France)
La Réunion Island |
La Réunion Island |
introduced
invasive |
Lavergne, Christophe (2006)
"Naturalisé/±envahissant" |
Control: If you know of control methods for Rumex obtusifolius, please let us know.