rhubarb
Rheum rhaponticum L.
Rheum rhaponticum, a species in the Polygonaceae family, is native to Europe and is now restricted to the Rila mountain range in south-western Bulgaria. It is the only Rheum species found exclusively in Europe and was introduced to other parts of the continent. This species is considered one of the parents of the modern culinary rhubarb.
Description
Rheum rhaponticum, also known as false rhubarb or rhapontic, is a wild plant species in the genus Rheum. It was first published by Linnaeus in 1753. Historically, it was found in various regions across Europe and beyond, but its current natural distribution is limited to the Rila mountains in Bulgaria. Turrill discussed the taxonomic history of the species, noting that R. rhaponticum is the correct name for the taxon. The species is of botanical interest due to its role as a potential parent of the cultivated rhubarb used in culinary contexts today.
Other common names
rhubarb
Distribution
NO · FI · HR · Belgium · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · Bulgaria · SE · EE · IN · BG · Cundinamarca · DK · BR · PE · Colombia · Czechoslovakia · Norway