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Greater Water Dock
Rumex orbiculatus

a.k.a. Great Water Dock

Great Water Dock is a native wetland species that prefers wet soils and full sun. Its wind-pollinated flowers bloom up to a month in late summer and early fall. It serves as an important food source for insects and birds.

USDA symbol: RUOR2

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height3 to 6 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureMedium, Wet
Bloom ColorPink, Red, Green
Greater Water Dock (Greater Water Dock<div><em class="small">Rumex orbiculatus</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Wildflowers (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceHigh
General Resilience5
Salt ToleranceNone
Stress ToleranceGeneral Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsJune to July
Larval Host ofButterflies
Specific Pollinators HostedLycaena hyllus, Lycaena phlaeas

Project Planning

Project TypeErosion Control, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism7
Herbivore SensitivityHigh
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadMedium
Soil StabilizationDeep

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Winona, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands