rhubarb

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• rhubarb
• Ornamental Rhubarb
• Chinese rhubarb

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rheum qinlingense
• Rheum potaninii
• Rhabarbarum palmatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Polygonaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rheum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Great Britain. Moving toward Asia, it is widely distributed throughout various parts of China. Specifically, it can be found in China South-Central, China North-Central, and the Qinghai province. Additionally, its range extends into the Inner Mongolia region of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rheum palmatum is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude mountainous environments. This species thrives within a specific vertical distribution, occupying habitats ranging from a minimum elevation of 1500 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 4400 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2775 m AMSL, positioning it within alpine or subalpine zones where it must contend with the unique climatic stressors characteristic of mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2775 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains

Life history

The life history of Rheum palmatum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural alpine and subalpine habitats. As a perennial, the species focuses significant energy on developing a robust, thick rhizome system that serves as a vital storage organ for nutrients and water, enabling the plant to survive harsh winters and recover quickly during the spring thaw. The lifecycle involves a rhythmic pattern of seasonal growth, where the plant emerges from its dormant state to produce large, palmate leaves that maximize photosynthetic capacity during the brief high-altitude growing period. Over successive years, the plant builds biomass through its underground structures, eventually producing flowering stalks to facilitate sexual reproduction via seed dispersal, though its long-lived vegetative state remains a primary strategy for establishing dominance in its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rheum palmatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic plant, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, remaining an independent organism. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. Its shoot orientation is distinctly erect, and it typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 2 m, with a mean height of approximately 1.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.75 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rheum palmatum is characterized by a specific flowering period and the development of small, distinct fruits. The flowering process typically begins in July and reaches its conclusion within the same month, though the timing can be variable. Following pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit consistent morphological dimensions. The fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm, maintaining a mean length of 0.85 cm. Similarly, the fruit width varies between a minimum of 0.7 cm and a maximum of 0.75 cm, with an average width of 0.725 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.85 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

0.75 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.725 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rheum palmatum has 4 reported plant parts identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, rhizome, seed.

Root

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
5. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

Leaf

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhizome

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Planta medica

Seed

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Rheum palmatum has 202 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include emodin, Aloe emodin, Rhein, Anthraquinones, Chrysophanol.

emodin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Microorganisms
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR
5. Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems

Aloe emodin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Microorganisms
4. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
5. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Rhein

1. Dr. Duke
2. Microorganisms
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Toxicology letters

Anthraquinones

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
5. Natural product communications

Chrysophanol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Microorganisms
4. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society
5. Chemistry & biodiversity

Sennoside A

1. Dr. Duke
2. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society
3. Chemistry & biodiversity
4. Chinese journal of natural medicines
5. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Physcion

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Microorganisms
4. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
5. Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH

ANTHRAQUINONE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports
3. Heliyon
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Tannins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
4. Natural product communications

Flavonoids

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Natural product communications

Activities

Rheum palmatum has 410 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Hepatoprotective, Antibacterial, Laxative.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
5. Fitoterapia

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Experimental and therapeutic medicine
5. Archiv der Pharmazie

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4. Archiv der Pharmazie
5. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Heliyon
4. Journal of breath research

Laxative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4. Scientific reports

Antimicrobial

1. Fitoterapia
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Archiv der Pharmazie

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Archiv der Pharmazie

Estrogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Archiv der Pharmazie

Conditions

Rheum palmatum has 55 reported investigations on conditions identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include obesity, constipation, cancer, renal failure, diarrhea.

Obesity

1. Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Journal of natural medicines
4. Frontiers in pharmacology
5. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA

Constipation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Chinese journal of natural medicines
4. Frontiers in pharmacology

Cancer

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Archiv der Pharmazie

Renal failure

1. Chinese medical journal
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Diarrhea

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Metabolic syndrome

1. International journal of nanomedicine
2. Journal of natural medicines

Aspergillus fumigatus

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chronic renal failure

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Preparations

Rheum palmatum has 25 reported preparations identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots, Aqueous extracts, GGEx18, RP extract, Rhei Rhizoma.

Roots

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Aqueous extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Ggex18

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Rp extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhei rhizoma

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Rhubarb dispensing granule

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Russian rhubarb

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Aqueous extracts

1. Anticancer research

Commercial botanical raw materials

1. Metabolites

Dried rhizomes

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry