Scientific Name:
Rheum rhabarbarum
(incl. hybrid cvs.)
Pronunciation:
REE-um rah-bar-BAR-um
Common Name:
rhubarb
Family Name:
Polygonaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal, ovate, most 20-60cm long x 25-50cm wide, base cordate, petioles edible, 30-90cm long, thick, red, and arise from short, thick rhizomes.
Habit:
Arching
Form:
Vase
Texture:
Very coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
1.0 - 1.5m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Garden origin, South Asia / India (R. x cultorum - involves R. rhaponticum)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich
Landscape Uses:
Urban agriculture (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Green, stalks reddish
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Rounded
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Additional Info:
Poisonous
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Red
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
Six, petal-like tiny sepals
Fruit Type:
Achene
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Red
Organ Modifications:
Leaf-like bracts, Rhizomes, Stipule (leafy)
Pest Susceptibility:
Beetles or weevils (Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant)
