n.
Any coarse weedy plant of the genus Rumex , in the buckwheat family, that has a long taproot and is sometimes used as a potherb.
Most docks are native to Europe but naturalized throughout North America. Examples include curly dock ( R. crispus ) and bitter dock ( R. obtusifolius ). The early basal leaves of patience-dock ( R. patientia ) are sometimes used in salads. The common weed R. acetosa is known variously as dock, common sorrel, or garden sorrel. See also sorrel .