Rheum x cultorum Rhubarb (Polygonaceae)

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Rheum x cultorum
Rhubarb
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The Rheum x cultorum plant species is found in E. Asia - Siberia. It is a member of the Polygonaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Rhubarb. Some home gardeners know the variety as R. undulatum. L.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Rheum x cultorum
Common Name:  Rhubarb
Family:  Polygonaceae
Author:  Thorsrud.&Reis.

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 glucosides[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].

Mature Height:  1.5   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Steppe, sparse woods and sandy soils[74].

Edible Uses: Leaf stem - raw or cooked[1, 2, 46, 105, 200]. An acid taste, it is used as a fruit substitute in spring, usually stewed and used in pies, jams etc[183]. The juice strained from stewed rhubarb can add colour and flavour to a fruit punch[183]. It is best not to eat large quantities of the stems because of their oxalic acid content - see the notes above on toxicity. Immature flowers - cooked and used like cauliflower[183]. One report says that the plant contains 0.7% rutin[240]. It does not specify which part of the plant, though it is likely to be the leaves[K].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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