[3] It has smooth leaves shooting off from a large basal rosette, with distinctive waved or curled edges; these can grow to 14–24 centimetres (5+1⁄2–9+1⁄2 inches).

[6] Curly dock grows in a wide variety of habitats, including disturbed soil, waste areas, roadsides, fields/meadows, shorelines, and forest edges.

The curled dock is an optimal host plant for certain Lepidoptera species including, Agrotis ipsilon (black cutworm).

[12] Curly Dock leaves are somewhat tart due to the presence of high levels of oxalic acid, and although quite palatable, this plant should only be consumed in moderation as it can irritate the urinary tract and increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

In Armenia the young plants are harvested and dried and to make a product called Aveluk (ավելուկ).

[15] The dark-brown to black seed pods remain on the stalk until the spring when leaves start growing again.

The resulting flour[3] is much like buckwheat in flavor, and while some may find it too bitter, many prefer the seeds over the tartness of the leaves.

The plant will help with skin conditions if taken internally or applied externally to things like itching, scrofula, and sores.

[citation needed] Some studies show that certain anthroquinones can help stop or slow cancer growth, but this may or may not apply to the ones in yellow dock.