Rumex fueginus
Golden dock
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Rumex fueginus (Golden dock) is a native California annual in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Colorful inflorescence and long bristle-like teeth distinctive.
Golden dock is a California native annual found in riparian areas, disturbed places, shores, marshes, bogs, and wet meadows at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces green-yellow to red-brown flowers in dense, interrupted terminal whorls with 15 to 30 flowers. Growing with prostrate to erect stems 15 to 60 centimeters tall, it has a vertical taproot and typically branches with hollow stems. Its lance-linear to lanceolate leaves range from 5 to 25 centimeters long, with cordate or truncate bases and entire to wavy margins. The inner perianth lobes feature distinctive thin, bristle-like teeth, and each plant develops three roughly equal tubercles that are lance-linear and often brown or reddish.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species. Colorful inflorescence and long bristle-like teeth distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Riparian, disturbed places, shores, marshes, bogs, wet meadows
Elevation: < 2000 m
Outside California: most of North America, Mexico, South America, introduced in Europe
Bloom period
Rumex fueginus 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 fueginus native to California?
Yes. Rumex fueginus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rumex fueginus bloom?
Rumex fueginus blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Rumex fueginus belong to?
Rumex fueginus is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Rumex.
What habitat does Rumex fueginus grow in?
Rumex fueginus grows in Riparian, disturbed places, shores, marshes, bogs, wet meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.