Rumex species occur on every continent, in a large variety of soil types: standing water, salt water, sand, gravel, clay, loam and chalk; species appear to be most successful in disturbed areas (Darbyshire 2003; Bojňanský and Fargašová 2007). Certain species have been introduced with anthropogenic activity outside of their native areas and can become agricultural pests that lower quality of grain and forage (Cavers and Harper 1964; Hume and Cavers 1982). Rumex species may also have medicinal or culinary uses, including R. crispus and R. acetosella (Cavers and Harper 1964; Stopps et al. 2011). Rumex plants and seeds may be toxic to livestock and poultry due to oxalates, rumicin and chrysorobin produced by the plants (Holm et al. 1991; Stopps et al. 2011).

Cavers and Harper (1964) estimated that between 100 – 40 000 seeds can be produced by one plant of R. crispus and 100 – 60 000 seeds by R. obtusifolius in one year. Achenes enclosed in a perianth can be dispersed by the wind, catch in animal fur or human clothing or float on the water supported by the tubercles (Cavers and Harper 1964). Achenes can be eaten by birds and animals and remain viable after digestion (Cavers and Harper 1964; Holm et al. 1991).

Rumex achenes can also contaminate crop seed and be introduced to new areas during planting (Cavers and Harper 1964). Buried seeds of R. crispus have been found viable after 80 years, R. obtusifolius and R. salicifolius seed remained viable after 40 years of burial (Toole 1946; Darlington and Steinbauer 1961). There is evidence that R. crispus and R. obtusifolius can reproduce vegetatively from root fragments, but it appears to be restricted to the main taproot or only at the beginning of the growing season (Cavers and Harper 1964). Reduced below-ground herbivore damage to introduced populations of R. crispus, R. obtusifolius and R. conglomeratus compared to native ranges likely enhances the invasive ability of these species (Costan et al. 2022).

Rumex crispus, R. obtusifolius, R. acetosa and R. acetosella are some of the Rumex species that have been divided into subspecies (USDA-ARS 2022). These subdivisions are from morphological and/or ecological differences from genetic adaptation to their local habitats (FNA 1993+). These subspecies and local forms mix when they are introduced into new areas, creating intermediate forms (Hume and Cavers 1982; FNA 1993+). Hume and Cavers (1982) sampled R. crispus from locations where it was native and introduced. They found that a higher percentage of genetic variability occurred within plants of a population than between different locations. Most of the variability was found between the plants, and this was explained by an inherent flexibility to local conditions, preserved by self-fertilization.

Hybrids between R. crispus and other Rumex species have been documented, occurring due to distribution overlap or both species introduced to a new location. The hybrid of R. crispus and R. obtusifolius is well documented, and is known as Rumex × pratensis Mertens & Koch (Cavers and Harper 1964; FNA 1993+). Other documented hybrids in Canada include R. × alexidus B. Boivin (R. maritimus ꭓ R. stenophyllus) and R. × franktonis B. Boivin (R. pseudonatronatus ꭓ R. triangulivalvis) (Brouillet et al. 2010+).