Rhubarb

[janleaver]

Can anyone help me please. ???  I have a rhubarb plant, but everyone who comes to my plot asks what is it?   I bought it as a rhubarb plant,  but people who know more than I say it is not.   It looks the same but the steam is mottled and the leaves are very large but more pointed.  One lady said she thought it was a ornamental rhubarb not to be eaten.  Thanks  Jan. :)

[janleaver]

[David R]

photo?

[janleaver]

Yes I must try to take a photograph but when I am off to the allotment, I never think of taking a camera.     I must say I have had so many people ask what is it [Rhubarb] - that I would be scared to eat it now in case I made myself ill.
Thanks Jan. :)

[saddad]

Look forward to seeing it ...
:-\

[janleaver]

Posted sometime ago about this plant which I thought was a Rhubarb but everyone who sees it says that they have not seen one like it.    I had a reply from a couple of people saying could I put up a photo up, so here they are.    jan.

[Tee Gee]

I think it might be Gunnera see here;

http://tinyurl.com/3a9na5

This is my Rhubarb and as you can see the the leaves are quite different i.e they are not as palmate!

[janleaver]

Thanks - but is it safe to eat....... ???       But just in case  if it is not.....I went and bought myself another rhubarb which looks like everyone else's on the site.    But it has got me going I have just got to find out.     Jan

[Melbourne12]

Does this site help?  http://www.rhubarbinfo.com/rhubarb-background.html#TOC5

It looks as though it may be Chinese rhubarb, in which case it's safe to eat.  But there are "false rhubarbs" also described, and I guess those would at the least give you a tummyache.

[cambourne7]

where did you get the plant?

[Robert_Brenchley]

It looks like Chinese rhubarb to me.

[SteveJ]

Hi
I think it is a rheum palmatum.

Mine looks very similar with leaves 1m across.  Its a great plant, but i dont think it is edible.

[janleaver]

I had the plant from a garden centre no label it looked like a rhubarb so I bought and planted it last year, it was only small just two small stalks by the time winter came.    I thought it had died nothing there at all, that I could see.   Then this year it must be 4 feet across or more.   Beautiful healthy plant.       Thanks for everyones help.   Jan.    :)

[Mrs greenjeans]

Hi Jan,

I was intrigued when you put up the original post and spent a good 15 min or so on the RHS website trying to find what I thought you probably had, which I think is an ornamental rhubarb - kind of like a gunnera -- but I didn't post because I couldn't find anything on whether it was safe to eat, so thought it was not much use.

your photos are good. Found the following on Crocus

"One of the newer varieties which has the characteristic bold foliage of the Rheums. This variety has dark green, heart-shaped leaves, which have distinctive red veins on the upper surface, and are reddish purple beneath. These plants cannot fail to make a bold statement and look great in jungle style planting schemes. The tiny, palest pink to white flowers are a bonus and emerge in open clusters from mid to late summer.

    * Position: full sun or partial shade
    * Soil: deep, moist, humus-rich soil
    * Rate of growth: average
    * Flowering period: June-August
    * Flower colour: very pale pink or white
    * Other features: leaves can grow up to 35cm long
    * Hardiness: fully hardy

    * Garden care: Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in early spring.
http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/results/?ContentType=Plant_Card&ClassID=2000007832&CategoryID=

Don't know if that helps. xa

[janleaver]

Greenjeans,

Your information is excellent I think I will dig it up and bring it back to my garden with me.   Thankyou for you help.    Jan