Thanks for the reply. I've concluded it's Rumex crispus (Curly Dock). Most
descriptions give crispus heights from 2-4 ft, but Googling for 'Curly Dock'
and 'food' found an article about eating Docks
(http://www.arthurleej.com/a-dock.html) that claims heights over 6 ft.

I went outside and inspected the wilting plants, which were cut at ground
level. The leaves tinge with deep red as they wilt, and the stalks look
rhubarb-ish. I took a picture to show height and added it to the scanned
images on the web page.

Apparently this 'noxious' weed can provide significant nutritional value to
folks lacking taste buds.

"monique" wrote in message
...
It is indeed a sorrel, a species of Rumex. Six feet is pretty large, but
they do commonly grow quite large.

M. Reed

Dave wrote:
Hello,

This grew in our S.Calif garden. I took it to a local nursery, but no
one
could ID it (someone suggested Burdock, which it does not resemble at
all).
It looks like pictures of Sorrel to me, but it grew more than 6 ft tall,
with largest leaves over 14 in long.

http://hpaa.com/d/oddplant.htm

Anyone know what it is?

Thanks,
Dave