Rheum palmatum tanguticum

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Rheum palmatum
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:6
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:7'
Width:3'
Blooms:Early Summer-Mid Summer
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Rheum palmatum tanguticum (common name: da huang)

Propagation: Seed - best sown in autumn in a shaded cold frame[1]. The seed can also be sown in spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in the spring.

Division in early spring or autumn[2][3]. Divide up the rootstock with a sharp spade or knife, making sure that there is at least one growth bud on each division. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation: Prefers a deep, fertile, moderately heavy, humus rich, moisture retentive, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[4].

This is a more robust form of the species[1], it is hardy to at least -15°c[5].

This sub-species is favoured for its medicinal properties over the species[6] and is cultivated as a medicinal plant in China[7].

Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4].

Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1].

Range: E. Asia - N.W. China.

Habitat: Valleys at elevations of 1600 - 3000 metres in Gansu, Qinghai and Xizang Provinces[8].

Edibility: Leaf stem - raw or cooked[9][10][11][12]. The stem is superior in flavour to the common rhubarb and quite tender[9]. An acid flavour, it is sometimes used as a cooked fruit substitute[K].

Medicinal: Rhubarb has a long and proven history of herbal usage, its main effect being a positive and balancing effect upon the whole digestive system. It is one of the most widely used herbs in Chinese medicine[5].

The root is anticholesterolemic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, aperient, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, diuretic, laxative, purgative, stomachic and tonic[13][10][14][15][16][17][18][5]. The roots contain anthraquinones, which have a purgative effect, and also tannins and bitters, which have an opposite astringent effect[6]. When taken in small doses, it acts as an astringent tonic to the digestive system, whilst larger doses act as a mild laxative[19][6]. The root is taken internally in the treatment of chronic constipation, diarrhoea, liver and gall bladder complaints, haemorrhoids, menstrual problems and skin eruptions due to an accumulation of toxins[5]. This remedy is not prescribed for pregnant or lactating women, nor for patients with intestinal obstruction[5]. Externally, the root is used in the treatment of burns[5]. The roots are harvested in October from plants that are at least six years old, they are then dried for later use[13].

A homeopathic remedy is prepared from the dried root[19]. This is used especially in the treatment of diarrhoea in teething children[19].

Pollinators: Wind

Soil: Can grow in medium and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.

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, e

Also Known As: R. tanguticum. (Reg.)Maxim.

Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  2. ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  3. ↑ Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
  7. ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
  8. ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
  11. ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
  12. ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  14. ↑ Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
  15. ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
  16. ↑ Jingwei, Zhang and Ching-Wei Chang. Alpine Plants of China. Horizon Books, 1982.
  17. ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
  18. ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Castro, Miranda. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan, 1990.


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