Rheum rhabarbarum

Species category

Vegetable

Common name

garden rhubarb

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

Triangularly ovateOvate:
Egg-shaped with basal end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 5–6 mm 
  • Width 2–3.5 mm 
  • Thickness 2–3.5 mm 

Color

Brown

Texture

Irregular surface, shiny; high, sharp corner ridges.

Other structures

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
usually covered with adherent, winged floral parts.

Identification notes

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
usually found covered with winged floral structures that adhere closely to the acheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Polygonaceae

Valid name

Rheum rhabarbarum L.

Synonyms

Rheum rhaponticum auct. non L

 Rheum rhabarbarum.  Achenes are usually found covered with winged floral structures that adhere closely to the achene body. 
Rheum rhabarbarum. Achenes are usually found covered with winged floral structures that adhere closely to the achene body.