Rumex utahensis
Toothed willow dock
(c) Dominic Gentilcore, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Rumex utahensis (Toothed willow dock) is a native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family, recognized by . Very limited range data available.
Toothed willow dock is a California native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in wet meadows, river and streambanks, and rocky slopes at elevations of 1,000 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small flowers in dense, interrupted whorls along axillary and terminal branches. Growing with ascending or erect stems 15 to 40 centimeters tall and developing axillary shoots below the primary flower clusters, it forms a distinctive vertical taproot. Its linear to lanceolate leaves measure 6 to 15 centimeters long and 2 to 3 centimeters wide, with entire margins and acute tips. The fruit is dark red-brown to black, small and compact, measuring approximately 1.8 to 2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated. Very limited range data available.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, river and streambanks, rocky slopes
Elevation: 1000-3500 m
Outside California: Oregon to Alberta, Colorado, Nevada
Bloom period
Rumex utahensis 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 utahensis native to California?
Yes. Rumex utahensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rumex utahensis bloom?
Rumex utahensis blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Rumex utahensis belong to?
Rumex utahensis is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Rumex.
What habitat does Rumex utahensis grow in?
Rumex utahensis grows in Wet meadows, river and streambanks, rocky slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.