Rheum webbianum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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. It is classified within the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rheum, specifically as the species Rheum webbianum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across high-altitude regions of Asia. Within China, its presence is specifically noted in the Tibet region. Its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it can be found growing in Nepal. Additionally, the species inhabits various parts of the West Himalaya. Finally, it is also documented as being native to Pakistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rheum webbianum is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude alpine environments, where it occupies a distinct niche within mountain ecosystems. This species is primarily found at significant elevations, demonstrating a robust capacity to thrive in harsh, high-mountain conditions. Its vertical distribution follows a specific elevational range, beginning at a minimum of 3500 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 4660 m AMSL. On average, the plant is situated at a mean elevation of 4080 m AMSL, indicating that it is most commonly established in the subalpine and alpine zones where environmental stressors such as intense UV radiation and fluctuating temperatures are prevalent.

Elevational range max:

4660 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4080 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rheum webbianum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it establishes a robust root system that allows it to persist in its natural habitat through successive years, often characterized by cyclic periods of growth and dormancy. This perennial nature enables the plant to accumulate significant biomass over time, eventually producing large, erect inflorescences that facilitate reproduction through seed dispersal. Unlike annual or biennial species that complete their life cycle in a single season, Rheum webbianum maintains a continuous presence in its ecosystem, relying on its perennial life strategy to navigate environmental fluctuations and ensure long-term survival.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rheum webbianum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This species functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor requiring a host for survival. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a maximum height of 1 meter, with an average height of approximately 0.75 meters, while the minimum recorded height for the species is 0.5 meters.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.75 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rheum webbianum is characterized by a specific phenological window and distinct fruit morphology. The flowering period for this species is concentrated in August, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit a consistent size range; these fruits typically measure a minimum of 1 cm in length, with a mean length of approximately 1.1 cm, and can reach a maximum length of up to 1.2 cm.

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rheum webbianum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
3. Journal of natural medicines
4. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Rheum webbianum has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include emodin, Chrysophanol, Aloe emodin, Physcion, Flavonoids.

emodin

1. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal of natural medicines
3. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
4. Current pharmacology reports
5. Food & function

Chrysophanol

1. Journal of natural medicines
2. Food & function
3. Journal of natural products
4. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aloe emodin

1. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Food & function
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Natural product research

Physcion

1. Food & function
2. Journal of natural products
3. Scientific reports
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Myricitrin

1. Preventive nutrition and food science
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Rhein

1. Food & function
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

myricetin

1. Preventive nutrition and food science
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

ALIZARINE

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Anthraquinone Derivatives

1. Journal of natural medicines

Activities

Rheum webbianum has 5 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal of natural products
3. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antifungal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Rheum webbianum has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include atherosclerosis, colorectal cancer, fibrosis, oxidative stress.

Atherosclerosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Colorectal cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fibrosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Rheum webbianum has 10 reported preparations identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Rheum emodi rhizomes, aqueous extracts, aqueous-ethanolic extracts (30/70), chloroform, crude methanolic extract.

Rheum emodi rhizomes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extracts

1. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society

Aqueous-ethanolic extracts (30/70)

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chloroform

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Crude methanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Crushed into powder

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethyl acetate

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-hexane

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Residual aqueous

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhizomes

1. Natural product research