British Wild Flowers: A photographic guide to every common species. Paul Sterry

       Mountain Sorrel

      Mountain Sorrel Oxyria digyna HEIGHT to 30cm

      Upright, hairless perennial of damp ground in upland areas; often found beside streams. FLOWERS Greenish with red margins, in loose, upright spikes (July–Aug). FRUITS Flat, broad-winged. LEAVES Entirely basal; rounded to kidney-shaped. STATUS Widespread and locally common in upland and northern areas.

       Common Sorrel

      Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa HEIGHT to 60cm

      Variable perennial of grassy habitats. Whole plant often turns red as it goes over. FLOWERS Reddish, in slender spikes (May–July). FRUITS Nut-like with a small tubercle. LEAVES Deep green, arrow-shaped, narrow; tasting mildly of vinegar. STATUS Widespread and common.

       Sheep’s Sorrel

       Sheep’s Sorrel

      Sheep’s Sorrel Rumex acetosella HEIGHT to 25cm

      Short, upright perennial of bare, well-drained acid soils. FLOWERS Greenish, in loose, slender spikes (May–Aug). FRUITS Nut-like. LEAVES Arrow-shaped but with basal lobes pointing forwards; upper leaves clasp the stem. STATUS Widespread and common in suitable habitats.

       Curled Dock leaf

       Fruit

      Morgan, Lee

      Curled Dock

      Fruits

      Curled Dock Rumex crispus HEIGHT to 1m

      Upright perennial of rough meadows and disturbed soils. FLOWERS Flattened, oval, in dense, leafless spikes that do not spread away from the stem (June–Oct). FRUITS Oval, untoothed, usually with a single tubercle. LEAVES Narrow, to 25cm long and with wavy edges. STATUS Widespread and common.

      Northern Dock

      Northern Dock Rumex longifolius HEIGHT to 1.5m

      Upright perennial of disturbed ground, often beside rivers and roads, or near the coast. Rather similar to Curled Dock. FLOWERS Pale green, in narrow spikes. FRUITS Heart-shaped, lacking teeth and tubercles (July–Sep). LEAVES To 80cm long, broader than those of Curled Dock. STATUS Locally common only in central Scotland.

      Smith, Don

      Water Dock

      Water Dock Rumex hydrolapathum HEIGHT to 2m

      Large, unbranched perennial, associated with damp habitats such as ditches, river banks, canals and marshes. FLOWERS In tall, dense spikes (July–Sep). FRUITS Triangular, with few small teeth and 3 tubercles. LEAVES Oval, to 1m long, tapering at base. STATUS Widespread but absent from the north; commonest in S and E England.

      Scottish Dock

      Scottish Dock Rumex aquaticus HEIGHT to 1.5m

      Similar to Water Dock but more slender and less branched. Associated with waterside vegetation but restricted to Loch Lomond. FLOWERS In tall, dense spikes (July–Sep). FRUITS Triangular, lacking tubercles. LEAVES Long, triangular, with a broad base. STATUS Found only along E shores of Loch Lomond.

      Broad-leaved Dock

      Fruits

      Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius HEIGHT to 1m

      Familiar upright perennial of field margins and disturbed meadows. FLOWERS In loose spikes that are leafy at the base (June–Aug). FRUITS With prominent teeth and 1 tubercle. LEAVES Broadly oval, heart-shaped at the base; up to 25cm long. STATUS Widespread and extremely common throughout.

      Clustered Dock

      Fruits

      Clustered Dock Rumex conglomeratus HEIGHT to 1m

      Upright perennial with a zigzag stem and spreading branches. Found in meadows and woodland margins, often on damp soil. FLOWERS In leafy spikes. FRUITS Small, untoothed, with 3 elongated tubercles (June–Aug). LEAVES Oval; basal ones heart-shaped at base and often waisted. STATUS Mostly common but rare in Scotland.