Rheum rhabarbarum: Country Or Region Of Origin
Asia
Plant Profile: Rheum rhabarbarum
Taxonomy: Rheum rhabarbarumNames
Pie Plant, Rhubarb
Phonetic Spelling:REE-um ra-BAR-buh-rum
Genus:Rheum
Species:rhabarbarum
Family:Polygonaceae
A long-lasting herb characterized by its basal clusters of large leaves, which feature thick, reddish petioles and broad, heart-shaped blades. The flowers are small and grow in a compact, elongated cluster at the top. The fruit is distinctive, with three wings and a reddish hue.
This plant is commonly used as a houseplant or in interior designs, and it can also be incorporated into vegetable gardens or serve as an ornamental herb in landscapes.
Rheum rhabarbarum Feature Summary
Rheum rhabarbarum Image Gallery
Tags
#edible plant
#large leaves
#red stems
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#problem for horses
Similar Plants
Rheum rhabarbarum Feature Summary
Attributes
Cooked leaf stalks (petioles) in pies and puree
Perennial
Fruit
Angular 3-winged, reddish containing one seed.
Red/Burgundy
Leaves
Large green leaves up to 2 feet across. Red petioles which are fleshy and edible when cooked.
Green
Red/Burgundy
> 6 inches
Edible
> 6 inches
Poisonous to Humans
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Abdominal cramps, burning of mouth and throat, headache, weakness, nausea and vomiting, coma; may be fatal Kidney failure (in grazing animals), salivation in dogs/cats. Most toxic parts are leaves and roots.
Anthraquinone glycosides and soluble oxalates, also possibly calcium oxylate crystals
Medium
Leaves
Roots
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Edible
Poisonous
Flowers
White
Green
Stem
Landscape
Edible Garden
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Rheum rhabarbarum Image Gallery
Rheum rhabarbarum Attributes
Rheum rhabarbarum: Edibility
Cooked leaf stalks (petioles) in pies and puree
Rheum rhabarbarum: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Rheum rhabarbarum Fruit
Rheum rhabarbarum: Fruit Description
Angular 3-winged, reddish containing one seed.
Rheum rhabarbarum: Fruit Color
Red/Burgundy
Rheum rhabarbarum Leaves
Rheum rhabarbarum: Leaf Description
Large green leaves up to 2 feet across. Red petioles which are fleshy and edible when cooked.
Rheum rhabarbarum: Leaf Color
Green
Red/Burgundy
Rheum rhabarbarum: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Rheum rhabarbarum: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Rheum rhabarbarum: Leaf Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy
Rheum rhabarbarum: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Rheum rhabarbarum Poisonous to Humans
Rheum rhabarbarum: Poison Symptoms
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Abdominal cramps, burning of mouth and throat, headache, weakness, nausea and vomiting, coma; may be fatal Kidney failure (in grazing animals), salivation in dogs/cats. Most toxic parts are leaves and roots.
Rheum rhabarbarum: Poison Toxic Principle
Anthraquinone glycosides and soluble oxalates, also possibly calcium oxylate crystals
Rheum rhabarbarum: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Rheum rhabarbarum: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Rheum rhabarbarum: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Rheum rhabarbarum Whole Plant Traits
Rheum rhabarbarum: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Rheum rhabarbarum Flowers
Rheum rhabarbarum: Flower Color
Green
White
Rheum rhabarbarum Stem
Rheum rhabarbarum: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Rheum rhabarbarum Landscape
Rheum rhabarbarum: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Rheum rhabarbarum: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
