Canaigre (Dock; Wild Rhubarb; Sorrel)
Rumex hymenosepalus Family: Polygonaceae – Buckwheat Family Perennial herbs from tuberous roots; 8” to 3.3' (2 to 10 dm) tall Leaves: alternate; simple; 3.2” to 10” (8 to 25 cm) long, 0.8” to 4.8” (2 to 12 cm) wide Flowers: 0 petals; 6 petaloid or sepaloid sepals, rarely 4 (the 3 inner segments form papery wings surrounding the fruit); stamens usually 6; 1 pistil; small flowers in clusters usually greenish to pinkish; flower cluster 4” to 16” (10 to 40 cm) long Pollinators: wind Fruits: achene Blooms in Arches National Park: March, April, May Habitat in Arches National Park: desert shrub communities Location seen: widespread along park road, across from Park Avenue parking lot, Fiery Furnace parking lot Other: The genus name, “Rumex”, is the ancient Latin name for docks and sorrel plants. The species name, “hymenosepalus”, means “membranous sepals” and refers to the 3 inner segments that become papery when the plant is in fruit. This family's scientific name, “Polygonaceae”, is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means "many" and “goni” which means "joint", a reference to many species that have swollen nodes or joints. |
Did You Know?
Native Americans never inhabited Arches on a year-round basis, though they certainly roamed the area searching for wild game, useful plants and rocks for tool-making. Petroglyphs near Wolfe Ranch are thought to have been created by Indians from the Ute/Paiute cultures. More...