Rumex stenophyllus
Narrowleaf dock
(c) Dmitriy Bochkov, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Rumex stenophyllus (Narrowleaf dock) is a non-native California herb in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Saline habitat preference and numerous marginal teeth distinctive.
Narrowleaf dock is a naturalized perennial herb found in the Great Valley, southern California coastal regions, and mountain provinces in wet, disturbed, and slightly saline habitats at elevations up to 150 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces small green to reddish flowers in dense, interrupted terminal clusters with whorls of 20 to 25 flowers. Growing with erect stems 40 to 80 centimeters tall, it develops a vertical taproot and forms a generally glabrous plant. Its oblong to narrowly lanceolate leaves measure 15 to 25 centimeters long and 2 to 7 centimeters wide, with entire to irregularly toothed margins that are often wavy. The fruit is dark or red-brown, measuring 2 to 2.5 millimeters long with three roughly equal oblong tubercles.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species. Saline habitat preference and numerous marginal teeth distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Wet, disturbed or marginal habitats, +- saline soils
Elevation: < 150(1250) m
California counties: Lassen, San Diego, Merced, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Monterey, Siskiyou, Butte, Kern, Yolo, Madera, Sacramento, Solano, Santa Cruz
Outside California: Canada, western United States, South Carolina, native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Rumex stenophyllus 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 stenophyllus native to California?
No. Rumex stenophyllus is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Rumex stenophyllus bloom?
Rumex stenophyllus blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Rumex stenophyllus grow?
Rumex stenophyllus occurs in Lassen, San Diego, Merced, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Monterey, Siskiyou and other counties, at elevations of < 150(1250) m.
What plant family does Rumex stenophyllus belong to?
Rumex stenophyllus is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Rumex.
What habitat does Rumex stenophyllus grow in?
Rumex stenophyllus grows in Uncommon. Wet, disturbed or marginal habitats, +- saline soils.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.