Dock.

Dock. The large genus Rumex of the order Polygonaceæ is usually divided into Docks and Sorrels, the latter distinguished not only by their peculiarly acid taste, but by hastate leaves and usually dioecious flowers (see SORREL); those of the docks proper being generally hermaphrodite. They are large perennial herbaceous plants, natives chiefly of temperate climates, with large generally lanceolate or ovate leaves, and panicles of small greenish flowers. They have great tap-roots, and are with difficulty eradicated from pastures. They also multiply rapidly by seed. The best mode of dealing with them is generally found to be repeated cutting away of their leaves and shoots, by which the plants are killed. Many of the species prefer watery places. Several of the European ones have found their way to North America, where they have reinforced the indigenous species as troublesome weeds. The large astringent roots of various species, notably of the Great Water-dock (R. Hydro-lapathum), as also of the Monk's Rhubarb (R. alpinus), were much esteemed in medicine until superseded by more powerful remedies. They have also been used in dyeing.