| Rheum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Polygonaceae |
| Subfamily: | Polygonoideae |
| Genus: | Rheum L. |
| Species | |
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See text. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Rheum[2] is a genus of about 60 herbaceous perennial plants in the family Polygonaceae. Species are native to eastern Europe, southern and eastern temperate Asia, with a few reaching into northern tropical Asia. Rheum is cultivated in Europe and North America.[1] The genus includes the vegetable[3] rhubarb. The species have large somewhat triangular shaped leaves with long, fleshy petioles. The flowers are small, greenish-white to rose-red, and grouped in large compound leafy inflorescences. A number of cultivars of rhubarb have been domesticated both as medicinal plants and for human consumption. While the leaves are slightly toxic, the stalks are used in pies and other foods for their tart flavor.
- ^ a b "Rheum L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
- ^ From Ancient Greek ῥῆον.
- ^ Vegetable Crops Production Guide for the Atlantic Provinces[dead link]