5. Rheum webbianum Royle, Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. 318. Pl. 78 a. 1836; Hook.f., l.c. 57; R.R.Stewart, l.c. 213; Hara, in Hara et al., Enum. Fl. Pl. Nepal 3: 179. 1983. (Fig.22, A-D).
Vern.: Chotal (Gilgit area).
English: Rhubarb.
Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meisn. in Wall., Pl. As. Rar. 3:65. 1832, p.p.
Perennial, 0.3-2 m tall herb. Radical leaves with 30-45 cm long petiole; blade leathery, orbicular to reniform, cordate, obtuse or subacute, entire, 5-7-nerved, papillose or glabrous, 10-50 cm across; upper leaves smaller. Inflorescence diffusely branched, mostly axillary, less commonly terminal, up to 1 m tall panicle. Flowers 2-2.5 mm across, ebracteate, pedicel 3-5 mm long, filiform; pale yellowish. Fruit broadly oblong or orbicular, 8-10 mm across, winged, notched on both sides.
Fl. Per.: June-September.
Type: Described from Himalayas. (LIV).
A very variable species, particularly the leaf size and plant height. Grows on slopes between 2000-4500 m. Root is purgative and leaf stalk is used as rhubarb; Distribution: Pakistan, India and Nepal.
