Alaskan wild rhubarb
Polygonum alaskanum
Family: Polygonaceae
What it is like
A herb. It can grow 2 m tall. The root is thick and woody. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are soft and can have fine hairs. The leaves are narrow and oval and up to 20 cm long. The leaves are paler green underneath. The flowers are small and white or cream but in showy clusters. The fruit are small light brown seed pods. Probably now Persicaria alpina
There are about 50 (150) Polygonum species.
Where it is found
It is a cold temperate or arctic plant. It grows along river banks.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Arctic, Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The shoots are eaten fresh like celery or used as greens or made into pies or sauce. The stems are harvested when young and stripped and cut and made into dishes like rhubarb.
Edible parts
Leaves, seeds, stem
How it is grown
It can be grown by seeds. It can also be grown by cuttings.
The young shoots about 15-30 cm tall are collected in spring.
Its other names
Local names
Angukaq, Kooseemuk, Nakaaq, Nauciq, Naunraq, Tsii'gyuu