Himalayan Rhubarb (Rheum australe)

Family: Polygonaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Rheum australe is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour that is something like apples (this is likely to be a cooking apple!). — Leaf stem - raw or cooked.; An excellent flavour that is something like apples (this is likely to be a cooking apple!).; The crop is sometimes blanched by excluding light from the growing stems, this produces an almost white stem that is free of fibre, crisp and less acid.; This species makes an excellent late crop.

Habitat & North American Range

Open slopes on rocky ground at elvations of 3200 - 4200 metres. Grassy slopes at elevations of 3400 - 4300 metres in Tibet. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)