Rumex britannica
Pale dock
(c) S Boisvert, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Rumex britannica (Pale dock) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Limited geographic range and large size distinctive.
Pale dock is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains (Plumas County) in wet meadow margins at elevations of 1,100 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small flowers clustered in dense terminal whorls with 15 to 25 flowers per cluster. Growing with stout, deeply ridged stems 80 to 200 centimeters tall and a vertical fusiform taproot, it develops impressive height in wet habitats. Its lance-oblong leaves stretch 20 to 55 centimeters long, with flat to slightly wavy margins and acute tips that taper at the base. The fruit is red-brown, approximately 3 to 4.5 millimeters long with three small, nearly equal tubercles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species. Limited geographic range and large size distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Wet meadow margins
Elevation: 1100 m
Outside California: eastern North America
Bloom period
Rumex britannica blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Anemopsis: Rumex has dense flower clusters; Anemopsis has a single white cone-like flower head.; vs Amaranthus: Rumex has papery three-winged fruits; Amaranthus has small round seeds with papery covers.; vs Plantago: Rumex has branching flower clusters; Plantago has flowers in dense cylindrical spikes.; vs Eriogonum: Rumex has large broad leaves; Eriogonum typically has small basal leaf rosettes or mats.; vs Limonium: Rumex has green to reddish flower clusters; Limonium has papery purple or pink flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rumex britannica native to California?
Yes. Rumex britannica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rumex britannica bloom?
Rumex britannica blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Rumex britannica belong to?
Rumex britannica is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Rumex.
What habitat does Rumex britannica grow in?
Rumex britannica grows in Uncommon. Wet meadow margins.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-09
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.