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Rumex obtusifolius

Rumex obtusifolius

9.9
A common weed with large blunt leaves and a bitter root
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Rumex obtusifolius
  • The leaves of Rumex obtusifolius are easily recognized in the wild.

Examples

  • Gardeners often struggle to remove Rumex obtusifolius from their lawns.

  • Rumex obtusifolius is widespread in North American fields and roadsides.

  • The Rumex obtusifolius grows abundantly in disturbed areas.

  • Have you seen Rumex obtusifolius in your garden?

  • Rumex obtusifolius commonly appears as a weed in North American gardens and fields.

  • Many farmers regard Rumex obtusifolius as a troublesome plant due to its rapid growth.

  • You can easily identify Rumex obtusifolius by its broad, blunt-tipped leaves in the wild.

Synonyms

bitter dock
vsRumex obtusifolius
  • UK
9.4

A plant with broad, rounded leaves and a bitter root that often grows as a weed

is the same species but emphasizes wide leaf shape rather than taste
broad-leaved dock
vsRumex obtusifolius
8.5

A common weed with large rounded leaves that comes from Europe

is the same species but highlights root taste rather than leaf shape

Surface Forms

Morphology

Rumex + obtusifolius

This is a scientific Latin binomial rather than a standard English multiword unit: the genus name 'Rumex' is glossed as a type of dock but 'obtusifolius' is not an English word and has no dictionary definition here. Only learners with knowledge of Latin botanical morphology (obtusi- = blunt, -folius = leaved) could transparently infer 'broad/blunt‑leaved dock'; an average B1 learner who only 'knows the constituent words' as given would not be able to do so.

Etymology

Rumex obtusifolius is a plant name that comes from old Latin words: Rumex means 'dock' and obtusifolius means 'blunt-leaved'. So the name points to the plant's wide, rounded leaves and helps you remember this common weed.