Rhubarb!

[CambsBill]

Any rhubarb experts out there?

Pic 1 is a plant we put in the ground a year or so ago.

Pic 2 is, we thought, the same variety (Victoria) planted a year earlier but has come up this year with totally different leaves. In its first year I'm sure it looked like pic 1.

Entirely possible that my memory is wring, but can rhubarb change its leaf shape? Or is it just a different variety?

[thetapeworm]

That's not gunnera rather than rhubarb is it?

I think that's considered as a bit of a pest in the UK like knotweed.

Edit: I'm probably miles out, I just looked up "spiky rhubarb" and got all sorts like Chinese rhubarb, I might live in the rhubarb triangle but seemingly I know nothing

Edited by thetapeworm on Tuesday 29th April 20:26

[CambsBill]

Hopefully not gunnera. Certainly the stalks are smooth and it was bought as rhubarb.

[JeremyH5]

Try a visit to Clumber Park walled garden, they have many varieties of rhubarb growing, I think they might have the National Collection but not sure about that bit.

[Simpo Two]

Blimey.

Reminds me of a joke. Man is walking along pulling a cauliflower on a lead. A passer-by says 'Why are you pulling a cauliflower on a lead?' Man says 'Damn, I've been done, the bloke who sold it to me said it was a collie'.

[Bobtherallyfan]

Looks like Chinese rhubarb …not the edible one.

[Harpoon]

Bobtherallyfan said:

Looks like Chinese rhubarb …not the edible one.

Indeed - a Google reverse image search brought up this RHS page

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/88816/rheum-palmatum...

RHS said:

Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants

I hope it's not rhubarb crumble for tea tonight...

[CambsBill]

Decided it's easier (& potentially safer) to just dig it up and replace with a known variety.

Thanks all for the input

[Silvanus]

Bit late to the party, but that definitely looks like ornamental Chinese rhubarb, Rheum palmatum, very much not for eating