Desert, semi-desert. Sand. Spring.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, April 7, 2004.

Rumex hymenosepalus grows very large basal leaves early in the spring.  A tall, stout flower stalk follows with tiny greenish/red/yellow flowers that are replaced by showy pink/red/brown seed pods.  Early leaves of this and related Rumex species are palatable as a potherb, giving rise to the "Wild Rhubarb" common name.  Leaves persist through the summer but toughen with age.  A number of species of Rumex are found in Canyon Country and were probably a common food for the Anasazi.  See Oxyria digyna.

The genus Rumex was named by Linnaeus in 1753 and John Torrey named this species in 1859.  "Rumex" is the classical Latin name for the plant and "hymenosepalus" means "membranous sepals".  The genus is found nearly worldwide and throughout the Untied States and Canada.

Desert, semi-desert. Sand. Spring.
Canyonlands National Park, Confluence Trail, May 20, 2004.