Rumex verticillatus

Has flat leaves, red stems when young, and fruit on pendulous stalks that exceed the length of the fruits. Ocres at stem nodes.

Seed germination is benefited by cold/moist stratification (Steffen 1997).

The following information is for genus Rumex with note that R. acetosella is especially important: Animals that eat its seeds: Cinnamon teal, Canada goose, Sora rail, Redwing blackbird, Cowbird, Horned lark, American pipit, Field sparrow, Fox sparrow, Eastern grasshopper sparrow, Henslow sparrow, Swamp sparrow, Tree sparrow, Vesper sparrow, White-crowned sparrow. Animals that eat its leaves and seeds: Greater prairie chicken, Bobwhite quail, Wild turkey, Woodcock, Meadow mouse, Pine mouse, White-footed mouse. Animals that eat the plant: Cottontail rabbit (Martin et al. 1951).

Found in low, open areas such as meadows and wet prairies of Louisiana and southeast Texas. It ranges throughout the southeastern United States.

Wet woods, swamps, wet meadows, low ground, stream banks.