Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - June 05, 2013
From: Bethlehem, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identification of riparian plant in Pennsylvania
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm wondering if this is a native plant: the plant is 3-5ft. tall, it has a tough reedy stalk, grows in sunny riparian areas, has whorled leaves with toothed margin, and has elongated clusters of tiny reddish flowers. This plant seems to grow in colonies, and it seems quite common along our spring-fed creek. Does this type of plant seem familiar to you?ANSWER:
This sounds like one of the docks. There are several native and introduced species that occur in Pennsylvania. The one that is the most similar to your description is one of the native ones:
Rumex orbiculatus (Greater water dock) Here are more photos and information from the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center and University of Michigan Herbarium.
There are three other native species that are candidates:
Rumex altissimus (Pale dock) Here are photos and more information from Missouri Plants.
Rumex hastatulus (Heart-wing sorrel) Here are more photos and information from Southeastern Flora and Discover Life.
Rumex verticillatus (Swamp dock) Here are more photos and information from Plants of Wisconsin and the New England Wildflower Society.
Below are some introduced Rumex species that sound somewhat similar to your description:
Rumex acetosella (Sheeps sorrel) Here is more information from Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide.
Rumex conglomeratus (Sharp dock) Here are more photos from CalPhotos, University of California-Berkeley.
Rumex longifolius (Dooryard dock) Here are more photos and information from New England Wildflower Society.
Rumex obtusifolius (Bitter dock) Here are more photos and information from Virgina Tech Weed Identification Guide.
If none of the plants above is the plants you are seeing and you have (or can take) photos, please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification.
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Identification Questions
Fog fruit?
June 29, 2009 - In your native plant database listing for Phyla nodiflora one of the common names seems to be misspelled (fog instead of frog). FYI, if wrong, please let me know.
view the full question and answer
Houseplant identification
October 15, 2014 - Had a houseplant with leaves that were green on the top and purplish on the bottom. The leaves were velvety to the touch. Would like to know what it was.
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
June 14, 2008 - I have a plant or weed that is a five leaf leave and it is greenish-red and shinny.
I have been searching the internet and can't seem to find what it is.
It is spread throughout my back yard an...
view the full question and answer
Books on Lilies
August 27, 2006 - Dear Sir,
I am looking for a book covering the Lily Family as a whole, i.e., it should preferably also discuss other Genera than Lilium only. I am especially interested in Lily members occurring in t...
view the full question and answer
Identification of a flower, perhaps a yarrow
April 27, 2008 - There is a a flower blooming now on the roadside and in fields here in Waco. It really looks like Yarrow, but I don't want to harvest any and make a mistake. Can I send a pic to you guys and see if...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |