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Rheum rhaponticum
  • Rhubarb

a perennial member of the Rheum genus in the family Polygonaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Loamy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Rheum rhaponticum has 0 edible uses listed
Rheum rhaponticum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The leaves contain high concentrations of oxalic acid[1][2]. 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[3]. 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[4].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaf stem - raw or cooked[5][6][7]. An acid flavour, they are used as a fruit substitute in tarts etc[6]. The young flower pouch, harvested before the flowers open, is said to form a dish of great delicacy[6].

Flowers

Unknown use

Stem

Unknown use

Material uses

Plants can be grown for ground cover when spaced about 1.8 metres apart each way[8].
There are no material uses listed for Rheum rhaponticum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[4]. The main species used is R. palmatum. Though the chemistry varies slightly, this species is used interchangeably[4]. 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[9].

The root is anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, purgative, stomachic and tonic[10][11][12][13][14][4]. Small doses act as an astringent tonic to the digestive system, whilst larger doses act as a mild laxative[15]. 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[4]. This remedy is not prescribed for pregnant or lactating women, nor for patients with intestinal obstruction[4]. Externally, the root is used in the treatment of burns[4]. The roots are harvested in October from plants that are at least six years old, they are then dried for later use[10].

A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the dried root[15]. This is used especially in the treatment of diarrhoea in teething children[15].

Unknown part

Astringent
Purgative
Stomachic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in autumn in a shaded cold frame[16]. 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[5][17]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Rheum rhaponticum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a deep, fertile, moderately heavy, humus rich, moisture retentive, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[16]. Shade tolerant[18], but plants prefer a sunny position[11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.

Hardy to at least -20°c[16]. This species is probably a parent of the cultivated rhubarb, R. x cultorum[16]. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[19].

Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[16].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Rheum rhaponticum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Rheum rhaponticum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rheum rhaponticum
Genus
Rheum
Family
Polygonaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[4][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Material uses & Functions
[8]
Botanic
[20][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.2 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press (1975-00-00)
    2. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (1975-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World. Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-217674-9 ()
    8. ? 8.08.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    13. ? 13.013.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. ISBN 0-333-55581-3 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    17. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    18. ? Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing ISBN 0-273-00098-5 (1976-00-00)
    19. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    20. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

    "image:Rheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Rheum_rhaponticum&oldid=80087"
    Facts about "Rheum rhaponticum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPolygonaceae +
    Belongs to genusRheum +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has binomial nameRheum rhaponticum +
    Has common nameRhubarb +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers + and Stem +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageRheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1.2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Purgative + and Stomachic +
    Has primary imageRheum rhaponticum jfg.jpg +
    Has search namerheum rhaponticum + and rhubarb +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceLoamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameRheum rhaponticum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Rheum rhaponticum +, Rheum rhaponticum +, Rheum rhaponticum +, Rheum rhaponticum + and Rheum rhaponticum +