Scientific Name:
Rheum rhabarbarum
Pronunciation:
REE-um rah-bar-BAR-um
Common Name:
rhubarb
Family Name:
Polygonaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves blades large and heart-shaped, with stalks like celery but red that 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)
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)
