Rheum spiciforme

Royle

Taturi, Archu, Lachu

PolygonaceaeLeavesRootsFlowersPotential hazards — see below

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(c) Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi

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(c) meiliang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

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(c) Aleksandr Naumenko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaf stalks, Flowers, Leaves, Root

The leaf stem can be eaten raw or cooked.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some if not all members of this genus contain significant quantities of oxalic acid and should not be eaten in any quantity. Oxalic acid can lock up certain minerals in the body, especially calcium, leading to nutritional deficiency. The content of oxalic acid will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.

Where to Find It

It is a subtropical plant. In west China it grows between 4,000-5,000 m above sea level.

Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Sikkim, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Tibet,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A herb. It does not have a stem and keeps growing from year to year. The leaves come from the base. The leaf stalks are 7-15 cm long. The leaf blade is very leathery and 15-30 cm long and wide.

How to Grow

Prefers a deep, fertile, moderately heavy, humus rich, moisture retentive, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Hardy to about -20°c. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.

Propagation: Seed is best sown in autumn in a shaded cold frame, though spring sowing in a cold frame is also possible. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame through their first winter, then plant out in spring. For division, work in early spring or autumn, splitting the rootstock with a sharp spade or knife and ensuring at least one growth bud per division. Larger divisions can go directly into their permanent positions; smaller ones are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until well established before planting out in late spring or early summer.

Medicinal Uses

The root is used as a purgative.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses Food Forest

Wikipedia

A small hardy perennial rhubarb reaching only 0.3 m tall. Hermaphroditic wind-pollinated flowers appear in June with seeds ripening in August. Grows in loamy or heavy clay soils with mildly acid to alkaline pH; prefers well-drained, moist conditions and tolerates semi-shade or full sun.

Other Information

It is sold in local markets.

References (11)

Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 520
Boesi, A., 2014, Traditional knowledge of wild food plants in a few Tibetan communities. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 10:75
Dorjey, K., et al, 2012, Ethnobotanical observations in Trans-Himalayan Region of Ladakh. Journal of Plant Development Sciences Vol. 4 (4): 459-464.
Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 5
Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
Ill. bot. Himal. Mts. 1:318. 1836; 2: t. 78. 1834
Rawat, G.S., & Pangtey, Y.P.S., 1987, A Contribution to the Ethnobotany of Alpine Regions of Kumaon. J. Econ. Tax. Bot. Vol. 11 No. 1 pp 139-147
Sharma, L. et al, 2018, Diversity, distribution pattern, endemism and indigenous uses of wild edible plants in Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve of Indian Trans Himalaya. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol 17(1) January 2018 pp 122-131
Sulamain, N., et al, 2023, The Importance of Becoming Tamed: Wild Food Plants as Possible Novel Crops in Selected Food-Insecure Regions. Horticulturae 2023,9,171.
Sundriyal, M., et al, 2004, Dietary Use of Wild Plant Resources in the Sikkim Himalaya, India. Economic Botany 58(4) pp 626-638