This unmistakeable, upright, handsome plant is found in wet places such as river banks, canals, ditches and lake margins. The tallest of our Docks, it reaches 2 metres at times, bearing tall spikes of tiny green flowers which, from July to September, are held in whorls or clusters and which turn red. Each little flower consists of 6 toothess segments which then surround the triangular fruit. The most impressive parts of this plant – apart from its size – are the long, banana-like leaves which can reach 1 metre long. They are narrow, lanceolate and taper at both ends being 4-5 times as long as they are wide. This is a native plant and it belongs to the family Polygonaceae.
I first identified this plant at Tintern Abbey, Co Wexford in 2009 and photographed it then.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
