Rhubarb
Rheum x hybridum

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A clumpy plant with broad leaves. They grow to 1.2 m high. It has long leaf stalks which are mostly red in colour. The leaf stalks have a channel on the upper surface. The leaves are large and heart shaped at the base. They have a wavy edge. The roots are thick and clustered. They are woody and underground forming a crown. The stems arise individually from this. The flowers grow in tall dense leafy panicles which branch close to the stem. They can be cream, white or yellow. They can be 3 m high.

There are about 50 Rheum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows between 750 and 2600 m altitude in the tropics. It needs a fertile soil. It needs a sunny location. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bulgaria, Canada, Europe, Falklands, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Mediterranean, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, North America, Philippines, SE Asia, Serbia, Siberia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tasmania, USA, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The sour leaf stalks are eaten after cooking with sugar. They are also used in sauces and pies. CAUTION The leaves are poisonous due to oxalates.

Stalks are sold in a few highland markets in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Stalks, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown by division of the rootstock. Plants can be grown from seed. Seedlings are not easy to transplant. So seed should be sown shallowly and plants thinned to 15-100 cm apart. Flowers should be removed to encourage leaf stalk growth. Leaf stalks can be forced by covering the plant with a container and keeping it warm and dark. Stalks grow more rapidly but the plant is weakened quickly.

Once crowns are well established, leaf stalks are produced very regularly. The leaf stalks are removed regularly. They should be pulled off the crown, not broken or cut off.

Its other names

Local names

Pie-plant, Rhapontic rhubarb

Synonyms

Rheum rhaponticum; Rheum x hybridum; Rheum rhubarbarum auct. non L.;