Israel wildflowers: Horned Dock

Rumex bucephalophorus, Acetosa bucephalophora,
Horned Dock, Red Dock, חומעת ראש-הסוס

Scientific name:   Rumex bucephalophorus L.
Synonym name:   Acetosa bucephalophora Fourr.
Common name:   Horned Dock, Red Dock
Hebrew name:   חומעת ראש-הסוס
Family:   Polygonaceae, Dock Family, ארכוביתיים


Life form:   Annual
Leaves:   Alternate, rosette
Flowers:   The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind
Flowering Period:   February, March, April, May
Habitat:   Sand
Distribution:   The Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Shrub-steppes
Chorotype:   Mediterranean
Summer shedding:   Ephemeral


Derivation of the botanical name:

Rumex , the ancient Latin name for the docks or sorrels.

bucephalophorus, bucephalos, βουκεϕαλοϛ with a head like an ox; phorus, φορεω (φερω), phoreo, to carry, bring; bearing parts like an ox head.
Acetosa, acetum, vinegar, pungent; osus, adjective suffix for nouns: plenitude or notable development; pre Linnaean name for common sorrel and other plants with acid leaves.
The Hebrew name: חומעה, hum’ah (sorrel, rumex), formed from Aramaic: חמע, hum’a, with suffix h.

  • The standard author abbreviation L. is used to indicate Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778), a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, the father of modern taxonomy.
  • The standard author abbreviation Fourr. is used to indicate Jules Pierre Fourreau (1844 – 1871), a French botanist.