Wild rhubarb
Persicaria tripterocarpa

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 15-40 cm tall. It has a stout rootstock that is often branched. It can be deep below the soil surface. It can form dense patches. The leafy stems come up a few at a time from this rootstock. The leaves are oblong to oval and 1-1.5 cm wide. They are dark green on the upper surface. The leaves turn bright red-yellow in autumn. The flowering cluster is open and branched. There are many white or yellow flowers.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in low shrub tundra. It is best in a moist location.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Russia, Siberia

How it is used for food

The leaves and roots are used fresh and cooked in soups. The leaves and root are stored for winter use. These are boiled then frozen.

It is a popular plant. The young shoots are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Sprouts, shoots, leaves, roots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kuvykhsi

Synonyms

Aconogonum tripterocarpum (A. Gray) H. Hara; Polygonum tripterocarpum A Gray;