Plant Details

Rheum palatum

Rhubarb, Turkey Rhubarb, Chinese Rhubarb

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Rheum palatum.

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Common names

5 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese Rhubarb
  • Rhubarb
  • Turkey Rhubarb
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Russische rabarber
French
  • Rhubarbe
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Rheum palatum
Reviewed spelling (Kew): Rheum palmatum L. View name reference ↗

The original Rheum palmatum source link and Turkey/Chinese Rhubarb common names support interpreting palatum as a catalogue spelling error. The separately named Rheum plicatum is excluded.

Sources [2]
Botanical family: Polygonaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Rheum (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Rhubarb, Turkey Rhubarb, Chinese Rhubarb

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: None

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Shade, Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Stem
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(5)
Functions:
Fungicide, Insecticide, Ground cover

Description

Petiole - edible both raw and cooked. The stem has a refined flavor that is superior to that of ordinary rhubarb and is very tender. It has a sour taste and is sometimes used as a substitute for cooked fruit.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/05
Harvest ends: 15/06

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 152966; name ID 2425630; Rheum L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Rheum palmatum L.
    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: Name heading and taxonomic status; The original Rheum palmatum source link and Turkey/Chinese Rhubarb common names support interpreting palatum as a catalogue spelling error. The separately named Rheum plicatum is excluded.

    Source checked on .