Rumex persicarioides
Golden dock
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Rumex persicarioides (Golden dock) is a native California annual in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Coastal, low elevation habitat distinctive from other golden docks.
Golden dock is a native annual found in coastal California, including the North Coast, Central Coast, and Southern Coast bioregions in wet, slightly salty places at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in dense terminal whorls. Growing with erect stems 1.5 to 7 meters tall, it has a slender to stout structure with hollow branching. Its leaves are distinctive, featuring lanceolate to ovate blades 5 to 25 centimeters long with entire or slightly wavy margins, tapering from a truncate or cordate base. The fruit develops small, straw-colored tubercles that are netted and pitted, giving the plant a unique textural quality.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species. Coastal, low elevation habitat distinctive from other golden docks.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet, +- salty places, coastal
Elevation: < 50 m
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, South America, Eurasia
Bloom period
Rumex persicarioides blooms Jun-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 persicarioides native to California?
Yes. Rumex persicarioides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rumex persicarioides bloom?
Rumex persicarioides blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Rumex persicarioides belong to?
Rumex persicarioides is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Rumex.
What habitat does Rumex persicarioides grow in?
Rumex persicarioides grows in Wet, +- salty places, coastal.
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.