Weed Potential
As a weedRambling Dock (Turkey Rhubarb) is wide spread throughout eastern and south eastern Australia growing in a variety of native habitats including grasslands, woodlands and along water courses or behind dunes and in disturbed or degraded land.

The plant produces tubers that are connected by thine rhizomes up to 5m (15ft) apart and the plant appears vigorously from the tubers in early spring producing long stems that scramble over vegetation producing thousands of seeds in summer. The seeds may remain dormant for up to 2-years or longer and germinate during the warmer months preferring a moist soil.

The seeds are dispersed by water, soil, wind or garden waste and dense infestations inhibit the regrowth of low growing indigenous flora. It is a very difficult plant to control.

Control methodsinclude physically digging out tubers and rhizomes or removal of foliage to inhibit seed production. Seed heads should be carefully collected and bagged. Plants may also be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide from late spring to early summer with follow up spraying over 2 to 4 years.