Rumex stenophyllus
 
Narrow-Leaved Field Dock

Mature Fruit Side C

Regina
19-August-2013

Note there are three outer sepals, and three inner sepals which enclose the fruit and are called valves.  On the surface of each valve is one large tubercle.

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Stenophyllus: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 
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plants NOT alpine

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plants perennial NOT [plants annual (biennial)]

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plants NOT rhizomatous

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plants with erect stems; NOT [plants with prostrate or ascending stems]

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axillary shoots absent or few; NOT [most stem leaves with axillary shoots]

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leaves cuneate, rounded, truncate or cordate at base;  NOT [leaves hastate or sagittate]

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leaf margins undulate, but not strongly so; NOT [leaf margins strongly undulate]

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pedicels jointed; NOT [pedicles not jointed near the middle]

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flowers perfect or mostly so; NOT [flowers unisexual]

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valves not greatly enlarging; NOT [valves greatly enlarging in fruit, becoming bright pink]

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valves 3.5-4 mm long; NOT [valves 3-6 mm long], NOT [valves 1-3 cm across]

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valves with small teeth; NOT [valves more or less entire]

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teeth short, less than the width of valve; NOT [teeth long, as wide or wider than the valves]

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fruit with 1-3 large grains; NOT [fruit without grains, or with only 1 small grain]

 

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Rumex: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 
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NOT [dwarf annual; leaves subopposite; calyx 3-parted; stamens 3]

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leaves with stipules

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leaves lanceolate; NOT [leaves reniform]

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flowers not in involucrate clusters; NOT [flower clusters subtended by an involucre of bracts]

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stamens 8 or fewer; NOT [stamens 9]

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stigmas tufted

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sepals 6; NOT [sepals 4], NOT [sepals 5, more or less equal]

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inner sepals enclosing the fruit; NOT [inner sepals erect]

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fruit winged; NOT [fruit wingless]

 

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Polygonaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 
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herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

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land plants; NOT [water plants]

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plants not parasitic on trees, rooted in soil or water; NOT [plants parasitic on branches of trees]

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plants with stems or stemless, but with more than one pair of leaves; NOT [plants stemless with a single pair of large reniform leaves, calyx 3-lobed]

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leaves alternate; NOT [leaves opposite]

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stipules forming a sheath above nodes; NOT [stipules membranous], NOT [leaves without stipules]

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flowers with only one floral ring, with sepals but not petals

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stamens and pistils in each flower; NOT [stamens or pistils in separate flowers on the same plant]