Scientific Name
Rheum X cultorum (R. rhaponticum, R. rhabarbarum)
Common Name
Rhubarb

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Polygonaceae
Plant Description
Perennial herb; leaves in basal clumps, large, with thick, reddish petiole, and large, heart-shaped, blades; flowers small, in a dense, elongated, terminal cluster; fruit 3-winged, reddish.
Origin
Asia.
Where Found
Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape in vegetable gardens or as herbaceous ornamental.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Raw leaves; blade of the leaf even after cooking.
Symptoms
Abdominal cramps, burning of mouth and throat, headache, weakness, nausea and vomiting, coma; may be fatal.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Cooked leaf stalks (petioles) in pies and puree.
Toxic Principle
Anthraquinone glycosides and soluble oxalates, also possibly calcium oxylate crystals.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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