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Rheum palmatum tanguticum
| Common name: |
Da Huang |
Family: |
Polygonaceae |
| Author: |
Regel. |
Botanical references: |
200, 266 |
| Synonyms: |
Rheum tanguticum ((Regel.)Maxim.) |
| Known Hazards: |
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some if not all members of this genus contain significant quantities of oxalic acid and should not be eaten in any quantity. Oxalic acid can lock up certain minerals in the body, especially calcium, leading to nutritional deficiency. The content of oxalic acid will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238]. |
| Range: |
E. Asia - N.W. China. |
| Habitat: |
Valleys at elevations of 1600 - 3000 metres in Gansu, Qinghai and Xizang Provinces[266]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
2 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 5 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| R. palmatum subsp. tanguticum[H]
R. palmatum var. tanguticum[G]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Chinese Rhubarb [H], Da Huang [E], Turkey Rhubarb [H], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
palmatum = hand like
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Polygonales. Buckwheat family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
China
Japan
|
Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 2m by 0.8m . It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from June to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.
We rate it 2/5 for edibility and
5/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Cultivated Beds.Edible Uses
Leaf stem - raw or cooked[2, 7, 105, 183]. The stem is superior in
flavour to the common rhubarb and quite tender[2]. An acid flavour, it is
sometimes used as a cooked fruit substitute[K].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Anticholesterolemic
Antiseptic Antispasmodic Antitumor Astringent Cholagogue Diuretic Haemostatic Purgative.
Rhubarb has a long and proven history of herbal usage, its main effect
being a positive and balancing effect upon the whole digestive system. It is
one of the most widely used herbs in Chinese medicine[238].
The root is anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor,
aperient, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, purgative,
stomachic and tonic[4, 7, 9, 21, 91, 171, 176, 238]. The roots contain
anthraquinones, which have a purgative effect, and also tannins and bitters,
which have an opposite astringent effect[244]. When taken in small doses, it
acts as an astringent tonic to the digestive system, whilst larger doses act
as a mild laxative[232, 244]. The root is taken internally in the treatment
of chronic constipation, diarrhoea, liver and gall bladder complaints,
haemorrhoids, menstrual problems and skin eruptions due to an accumulation of
toxins[238]. This remedy is not prescribed for pregnant or lactating women,
nor for patients with intestinal obstruction[238]. Externally, the root is
used in the treatment of burns[238]. The roots are harvested in October from
plants that are at least six years old, they are then dried for later use[4].
A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the dried root[232]. This is used
especially in the treatment of diarrhoea in teething children[232].
Other Uses
None known
Cultivation details
Prefers a deep, fertile, moderately heavy, humus rich, moisture
retentive, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Grows well in heavy
clay soils. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut
annually in the autumn[233].
This is a more robust form of the species[200], it is hardy to at least
-15°
c[238].
This sub-species is favoured for its medicinal properties over the
species[244] and is cultivated as a medicinal plant in China[187].
Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200].
Propagation
Seed - best sown in autumn in a shaded cold frame[200]. The seed can
also be sown in spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick
the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or
cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in the spring.
Division in early spring or autumn[1, 111]. Divide up the rootstock with a
sharp spade or knife, making sure that there is at least one growth bud on
each division. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their
permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller
divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well
established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
Web References
References for Rheum palmatum subsp. tanguticum (a possible synonym).
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
References for Rheum tanguticum (a possible synonym).
References for the family Polygonaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[91] Zhang Jingwei. Alpine Plants of China. Gordon & Breach. New York. 1982 ISBN 0-677-60190-5
A lovely book with nice pictures. Gives habitats and some details of plant uses.
[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
[111] Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.
[171] Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.
[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
A very good Chinese herbal.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[232] Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990 ISBN 0-333-55581-3
A concise beginner's guide to the subject. Very readable.
[233] Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Readers Comments
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