The leaves are what gives this plant its name in that they are roughly fiddle shaped but the systematic name translates as "Beautiful Dock". There are varieties which are introductions and only ssp pulcher is a native plant.

Rumex pulcher ssp pulcher is quite common in the south of England from Cornwall to The Wash but even in the midland it is scarce and is only rarely found in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and northern England.

LHS: Petit Bot bay, Guernsey 20th June 2004 RHS: ham River Lands 7th July 2007

Added on November 17th 2005, updated 23rd January 2012