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Rheum rhaponticum
| Common name: |
Rhubarb |
Family: |
Polygonaceae |
| Author: |
L. |
Botanical references: |
50, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
|
| Known Hazards: |
The leaves contain high concentrations of oxalic acid[34, 76]. Oxalic acid can lock up certain minerals (especially calcium) in the body, leading to nutritional deficiency. Cooking the plant will reduce the concentration of oxalic acid. Another report says that the leaves have the same concentration of oxalic acid in the stems as they do in the leaves and it is not the oxalic acid that makes them poisonous. It says that any toxic properties of the leaves is more likely to be due to the presence of glycosides[142]. 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: |
Europe to E. Asia - Siberia. |
| Habitat: |
Wet mountain rocks in Europe[50]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
2 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 3 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| R. rhabarbarum[G,H]
R. rhaponticum[H]
R. rhaponticum [H]
R. x cultorum[G,H,HPIC,HORTIPLEX]
R. x hybridum[G]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| False Rhubarb [P], Garden Rhubarb [H], Maruba-Daio [E], Rhubarb [E], T'U Ta Huang [E], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
ponticum = Pontus, Turkey;
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Polygonales. Buckwheat family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
Australia; China; Europe; India; Us
|
Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 1.2m. It is hardy to zone 3. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.
We rate it 2/5 for edibility and
3/5 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, Ground Cover.Edible Uses
Flowers; Stem.
Leaf stem - raw or cooked[1, 2, 103]. An acid flavour, they are used as
a fruit substitute in tarts etc[2].
The young flower pouch, harvested before the flowers open, is said to form a
dish of great delicacy[2].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Astringent; Purgative; Stomachic.
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 main species
used is R. palmatum. Though the chemistry varies slightly, this species is
used interchangeably[238]. Another report says that this species contains
only small quantities of the medicinally active compounds and so it is only
used as a mild laxative[244].
The root is anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor,
aperient, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, purgative,
stomachic and tonic[4, 37, 57, 61, 171, 238]. Small doses act as an
astringent tonic to the digestive system, whilst larger doses act as a mild
laxative[232]. 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
Ground cover.
Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 1.8 metres apart
each way[208].
Cultivation details
Prefers a deep, fertile, moderately heavy, humus rich, moisture
retentive, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Shade tolerant[15],
but plants prefer a sunny position[37]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
Hardy to at least -20°c[200].
This species is probably a parent of the cultivated rhubarb, R. x
cultorum[200].
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
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for Rheum x cultorum (a possible synonym).
References for Rheum x hybridum (a possible synonym).
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
References for rheum x cultorum (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.
[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.
[15] Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976 ISBN 0-273-00098-5
A small book with interesting ideas for edible plants in the ornamental garden.
[34] Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975
Good drawings of some of the more common food plants from around the world. Not much information though.
[37] Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878
Excellent general but extensive guide to gardening practices in the 19th century. A very good section on fruits and vegetables with many little known species.
[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
[57] Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
Fairly readable but not very comprehensive. Deals with plants from around the world.
[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
[76] Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984 ISBN 0112425291
Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock.
[103] Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9
Very readable and well illustrated, it lists plants by families giving the basic diagnostic features and some details of plant uses.
[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.
[142] Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975 ISBN 0-12-136450-x
Readable but not very comprehensive.
[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.
[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.
[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
[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.
Readers Comments
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Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
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WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963 This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Rheum+rhaponticum
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