![](http://10000thingsofthepnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/A2784998-F4EB-4238-AF8C-F20C384DEA6D-1024x1024.jpeg)
Broad-leaved Dock is a perennial plant native to Europe, but has become naturalized world wide. It is an invasive species with a high potential to out compete native plants, primarily because of massive seed production. It is considered to be a noxious weed in many places, but is not yet listed as one in the PNW.
![](http://10000thingsofthepnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2D0D31D3-4D26-4409-8951-69B6F90E5C7C-1024x1024.jpeg)
When Rumex obtusifolius is large and mature it is unmistakable, with ovate leaves 10-16” long by 4-6” wide. Younger plants can be differentiated from other Rumex spp. by the combination of a lack of arrow-shaped leaves and the presence of spiny tepals.
![](http://10000thingsofthepnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/DC323008-F9BB-4A5B-AC67-8694BA294C3D-1024x731.jpeg)
This plant is a known larval host for the butterfly Lycaena helloides (Purplish Copper), the moths Hyles lineata (White-lined Sphinx Moth) and Resapamea passer (Dock Rustic Moth), and the leaf beetle Gastrophysa cyanea (Green Dock Beetle).
It is considered edible, as a bitter salad herb, but does contain large amounts of oxalic acid, so care should be exercised. This is particularly important for folks prone to forming kidney stones.
![](http://10000thingsofthepnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/1FB35F3E-BC7D-4B5B-A6E7-5FD135A60DCA-1024x1024.jpeg)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumex_obtusifolius
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/bitter_dock.htm
https://extension.umass.edu/landscape/weeds/rumex-obtusifolius
http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Rumex%20obtusifolius
Size- Up to 4’ tall
Habitat- Damp, disturbed ground
Range- Region wide; more common west of Cascades
Blooms- Mid to late summer.
![](http://10000thingsofthepnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/47136CDC-E454-4AA4-8187-A21319281531-1024x1024.jpeg)
Thanks for the warning ! 👍🤭