What is Gunnera? Read through our Gunnera identification guide below. If you are still unsure, email us your photos and we will confirm whether it is Giant rhubarb for FREE
With leaves that grow to 2 metres in diameter, the Gunnera plant or Giant rhubarb is increasingly becoming a nuisance in the UK, especially in the southwest of England. It thrives in damp habitats and can quickly overwhelm other plants causing damage to local ecosystems
Gunnera is a genus of large, herbaceous flowering plants, known for their enormous leaves. Native to tropical and temperate regions, these plants are mainly native to the South Americas. The genus contains about 40–60 species, with some of the most famous species being Gunnera manicata and Gunnera tinctoria.
Gunnera is a striking plant often used for dramatic effect in landscaping but must be managed carefully in areas where it might become invasive.
Rhubarb is a unique and tasty plant that many gardeners love to grow for its tart stalks. However, its distinct appearance means that several other plants are often mistaken for rhubarb. While some of these rhubarb lookalikes are edible or have their own uses, it’s important to be able to tell them apart to avoid accidentally harvesting and eating the wrong plant.
In this article, we’ll go over the key characteristics of rhubarb and then discuss 8 plants that are commonly confused for it We’ll provide tips on how to distinguish real rhubarb from imposters. Let’s get growing!
What Does Rhubarb Look Like?
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a hardy perennial plant known for its edible pinkish-red stalks It has large, triangular green leaves that emerge from thick, fleshy crowns along with hollow flower stalks
The leaves contain oxalic acid and are toxic, so only the stalks are edible. Rhubarb has a tart, sour taste and is commonly used in pies, jams, and other desserts.
It grows best in cool climates and appreciates compost-rich, moist soil. Gardeners often mulch around rhubarb plants to retain soil moisture. It spreads via thick rhizomes underground.
Rhubarb stalks are typically harvested when they reach 12-18 inches long. It’s important not to overharvest, as this can weaken the plant over time.
Plants That Resemble Rhubarb
While rhubarb has a distinct appearance, several other plants can be mistaken for it at first glance. Here are 8 rhubarb lookalikes and how to tell them apart:
1. Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Burdock is a biennial plant with large, heart-shaped leaves. It has a long taproot that resembles a parsnip. Immature burdock leaves are fuzzy on the underside, unlike rhubarb’s smooth leaves. The petioles also lack rhubarb’s pinkish hue.
2. Beets (Beta vulgaris)
Beet leaves can resemble rhubarb at first glance. However, beets form a swollen root and their stems lack rhubarb’s hollowness. The leaves also have a more wrinkled texture.
3. Canaigre Dock (Rumex hymenosepalus)
This relative of rhubarb has similar thick, reddish leafstalks. However, its leaves are more slender and elongated. It also produces spikes of small greenish flowers, unlike rhubarb.
4. Monk’s Rhubarb (Rumex alpinus)
This Eurasian perennial has heart-shaped basal leaves but produces plumes of tiny red or purple flowers. Its leaf stalks are more slender than culinary rhubarb.
5. Giant Rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria)
This tropical plant gets its name from its huge rhubarb-like leaves up to 6 feet wide! However, its leaves are clustered on creeping rhizomes and have a rough, bristly texture.
6. Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
This invasive weed has bamboo-like stems and heart-shaped leaves. However, its leaves aresmooth-edged rather than crinkly like rhubarb. It also spreads rapidly via root fragments.
7. Bog Rhubarb (Petasites japonicus)
This large-leaved perennial flowers before its leaves emerge. The undersides of its leaves are cottony rather than smooth like rhubarb. It also lacks rhubarb’s thick crowns.
8. Darmera Peltata
Also called Indian rhubarb, this streamside plant has big umbrella-shaped leaves. However, its leaves are deeply lobed with purple undersides. It also blooms with pink or white flowers.
Tips for Identifying Rhubarb
When trying to identify rhubarb, look for these key features:
- Thick, hollow pink-red stalks emerging from pale crowns
- Large, triangular green leaves with crinkly edges
- Smooth leaf undersides and petioles
- Lack of flowers or only tall, plume-like blooms
- Spreading habit via thick rhizomes
- Preference for moist, compost-rich soil
Cut a stalk open to check for hollowness. Also rub a leaf between your fingers to check for fine hairs, which indicate an imposter. When in doubt, wait until any suspect plants bloom to confirm their identity.
Proper ID is crucial, as many rhubarb lookalikes have toxic properties. Only harvest stalks from known rhubarb plants with the characteristics described above. With a little detective work, you’ll be able to spot the real McCoy.
Happy gardening and enjoy your homegrown rhubarb goodies! Let us know if you have any other plants that you’ve confused for rhubarb in your garden.
Use our extensive guide how to remove gunnera
There are around 63 distinct types of Gunnera around the world, mostly in more southern regions, though this is changing.Gunnera tinctoria, for example, has been found much further north in the last 50 to 60 years, likely a result of climate change. Some species are hardier than others, but they require a lot of water which is why you find them near ponds, rivers and bogland.
You cannot miss most species of Gunnera as they are quite large and imposing. They have leaves that can be as much as 2 metres wide and the whole plant looks like a more gigantic version of our traditional rhubarb.
The Gunnera manicata is still a popular choice in larger gardens where there is a pond or stream nearby, but they are not often found in smaller gardens, unless by accident. People who do have the plant on their property, however, need to make sure that they collect the seeds and don’t allow them to spread.
There are some variations between types of giant rhubarb, notably their size – but the unmistakable jagged-edged leaves, with deep veins sitting on upright, prickly stems are shared by all plants in the family – making them easy to identify.
Gunnera manicata or Brazilian Giant Rhubarb
Again, prevalent in South America, the leaves of the Gunnera manicata look similar but are less ragged and slightly narrower than the Gunnera tinctoria. The stalk is pale green, and the spikes are a reddish hue. The flowering spike is a little more sprawling than its close relative and is wider than it is longer, growing near the ground. The flowers are greenish yellow rather than red or crimson.
Gunnera Megellanica or the Devil’s Strawberry
Not all Gunnera are prehistorically huge and impressive. The Gunnera megallanica can be considered the dwarf version as it only grows a few centimetres tall.
It has kidney-shaped dark green leaves with fine hairs and produces clusters of small red berries that give the plant its more common name, the devil’s strawberry. While not on any lists, Gunnera megellanica can become invasive if not tended to properly.
Skunk cabbage seed heads
While Gunnera or giant rhubarb is fairly distinctive, there are a few plants that are confused for it. Commonly mistaken plants for gunnera include:
- Common rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) Rhubarb is often mistaken for Gunnera, but there are key differences. Fisrtly, common rhubarb is much smaller, the leaves and more rounded and the stems do not have spikes. Unlike gunnera, rhubarb stems are edible when cooked.
- Burdock (Arctium Asteraceae) Burdock is often mistaken for giant rhubarb (it’s called wild rhubarb in some places) as it can grow up to about a couple of 2 metres in height. It has less ragged leaves and it does not produce flowers but prickly burrs or thistles.
- Chinese rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) A clump-forming perennial, this ornamental rhubarb has larged, lobed leaves just like Gunnera. It can grow up to 2.5m tall, with impressive flower spikes, so it’s easy to see why you might mistake it for gunnera.
- American Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton Americanus) This is a colourful plant and can be mistaken for Gunnera primarily because it grows around waterways and is also classed as an invasive species by the Government. There are big differences in how they look, however, and the stems are generally green, the leaves a lot narrower and thicker and it produces bright yellow flowers.
Start fixing your invasive plant problem today by requesting a survey
Rest assured, where invasive species are identified at an early stage and tackled correctly, problems can usually be avoided. Our specialist consultants complete thorough surveys to identify the extent of the problem. Our plans aren’t one-size-fits-all; they’re customised to tackle the invasive species at your property effectively, taking account of all of your requirements.
Rhubarb: From Planting To Harvest ❤️
FAQ
What plant is mistaken for rhubarb?
Look Alikes
Many people confuse burdock and rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) because they both have large, triangular leaves.
Are there poisonous plants that look like rhubarb?
In fact, burdock is a little safer to eat than rhubarb which has a tasty stem, but toxic leaves. They have so many similarities, and one very important difference: burdock spreads and takes over way faster. Keep reading to learn more about these two look alikes.
How to tell the difference between rhubarb and burdock?
To identify burdock, look for mature leaves that are less curly than rhubarb. The undersides of burdock leaves are wooly or hairy, unlike rhubarb. Another easy way to identify burdock is to cut away a cross-section of its stem. Burdock has a hollow stem, whereas rhubarb stems are solid.
What is the name of the plant that looks like rhubarb?
Gunnera tinctoria is a spectacular architectural herbaceous plant, bearing huge, rhubarb-like leaves which die down in autumn. Gunnera tinctoria is considered an invasive plant in the British Isles.
What weeds look like rhubarb?
Additionally, gently rub the stalks between your fingers- if they feel slightly fuzzy or hairy, you’re likely dealing with Rhubarb. Different plants and weeds can often be mistaken for Rhubarb, so knowing their characteristics is essential. Weeds that look like Rhubarb include Burdock, dock, and sorrel.
Is rhubarb a similar plant?
Rhubarb sparks much interest in gardeners once they come across look-alike plants in their yards. The confusion arises from plants that have similar stems and leaves. While it’s true that these plants exist, it doesn’t mean they are in the same family or carry the same characteristics as the original plant.
What does rhubarb look like outside?
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum, USDA zones 3 through 7) produces sweet, crunchy stalks with a characteristic red color (most of the time), and you might be surprised to encounter this plant outside of your garden. Before you harvest any rhubarb-looking plant – even one in your own yard – take a moment to verify that it’s really rhubarb.
What plants are mistaken for rhubarb?
Finally, one other plant gets mistaken for rhubarb due to its common name: prickly rhubarb (Gunnera manicata, USDA zones 7 through 10) or giant rhubarb. This plant’s leaves grow to an enormous size of around 6 feet tall, and the entire plant can reach more than 8 feet tall, according to Gardeners HQ.
How do you identify a rhubarb plant?
To identify a Rhubarb plant, one should look for large, heart-shaped leaves with long thick stalks that are usually reddish-green. The plant can grow up to 3 feet (91cm) tall, making it hard to miss. Rhubarb has an undeniable tart odor, so giving it a smell test is also a way to distinguish it from other plants.
Is rhubarb a good garden plant?
Chilean rhubarb makes a great addition to shaded gardens, as it prefers a cool, but moist environment. Plus, its large leaves add an interesting texture and color to the garden landscape. Skunk cabbage is a hearty plant with large, tulip-shaped leaves and a distinct smell.