Kitchen Garden Forum

Has anyone, please, eaten the stems of this as opinion seems to be divided.

NB this is not gunnera of course which is poisonous.

Will use it for our jams to sell and would hate to poison the tourists. We have 27 of the tubers, which were thrown away when dormant as they were thought to be dead. We picked up the tray simply for the pots and behold! Leaves are emerging.

Thank you

Hope you don't label it as Rhubarb, as it is a different plant.

peter wrote:Hope you don't label it as Rhubarb, as it is a different plant.

??? its common name is Chinese rhubarb of course; and I asked a specific question ...please?

Thank you

Hi Marigold

Good to see you back. Rheum palmatum is generally seen as a medicinal plant (the roots) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheum_palmatum

I don't think you should sell anything unless you have tried it yourself - and survived! Why not stick to tried and tested Rheum rhabarbarum?

I'm sure you've done your internet research and discovered that opinions are indeed divided. Some say the stalks are edible some say they are not. One site says parts of the plant are poisonous but doesn't say which parts. The medicinal root is a strong laxative so, as Alan says, it's probably not a good idea to use it in jams. Even if you eat it yourself with no ill effects it could still make another person poorly.

Marigold

Any update on this to report?