Several common garden weeds and ornamentals share rhubarb’s signature large leaves and red stems, but only one is safe to eat. If you have spotted a plant that looks like rhubarb in your yard or on a hike, you need to know exactly what you are dealing with before you even think about harvesting it. The visual similarity between these species is often startling, which makes proper identification a critical skill for any forager or gardener.
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a beloved vegetable for pies and jams, but its leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid and are toxic. The plants listed below share its general silhouette, but they have different growth habits, toxicity levels, and uses. Some are dangerous, some are just weeds, and a few are actually edible if you know the right part to use. This guide will help you tell them apart with confidence.
Plants That Look Like Rhubarb
You will find that most look-alikes fall into one of two categories: those with true red stalks and those with green or spotted stems. The shape of the leaf, the texture of the stem, and the presence of flowers are your best clues. Let us walk through the most common impostors you are likely to encounter.
Burdock
Burdock (Arctium lappa) is probably the most common plant mistaken for rhubarb. It grows in disturbed soil, along roadsides, and in vacant lots. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, and can reach two feet in length. The stems are hollow and have a deep groove running down them, unlike rhubarb’s solid, round stalks.
The leaf color is a dull, grayish green, while rhubarb leaves are brighter and glossier. Burdock stems are usually green with a reddish tint at the base, but they never get the vivid crimson color of a true rhubarb stalk. The most reliable way to identify burdock is to look at the underside of the leaf. It feels fuzzy or woolly, like felt, while rhubarb leaves are smooth.
Burdock is actually edible. The root is a popular vegetable in Japanese cuisine, known as gobo. The young stalks can be peeled and eaten raw or cooked, but they are much more bitter than rhubarb. However, do not confuse burdock with its toxic cousin, deadly nightshade, which has similar leaf shapes but grows berries.
Pokeweed
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a serious look-alike and a serious hazard. Young pokeweed plants have large, oval leaves and thick, reddish-purple stems that are strikingly similar to rhubarb. The key difference is that pokeweed stems are not solid. They have a pinkish or magenta hue, and they are smooth but not grooved.
Pokeweed leaves are alternate, meaning they grow one at a time up the stem, while rhubarb leaves all emerge from the base of the plant. If you see a tall, branching stalk with leaves spaced along it, it is not rhubarb. Rhubarb grows in a clump from the ground, with leaf stalks rising directly from the crown.
Every part of pokeweed is toxic if not prepared correctly. The roots are the most poisonous, but the berries and leaves also contain phytolaccatoxin. Young shoots are sometimes eaten after multiple boiling water changes, but this is a risky practice. For the average person, just remember: if it has purple berries in late summer, it is pokeweed, not rhubarb.
Castor Bean
Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is an ornamental plant that looks nothing like rhubarb at first glance, but its young leaves can fool you. The leaves are large, palmate (like a hand with fingers), and have serrated edges. They are usually green or dark burgundy, and the stems are thick and jointed.
The critical difference is the leaf shape. Rhubarb leaves are somewhat triangular or heart-shaped with wavy edges. Castor bean leaves are deeply lobed, like a maple leaf but much larger. The stems are also covered in a waxy bloom, and they have a distinct, unpleasant smell when crushed.
Castor beans contain ricin, one of the most toxic naturally occurring substances known. Even a single seed can be fatal to a child. If you have this plant in your garden, remove it immediately, especially if you have kids or pets. It is not worth the risk of confusion.
Butterbur
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a wetland plant that loves damp, shady areas. It produces enormous leaves, sometimes up to three feet across, that are rounder and more kidney-shaped than rhubarb. The leaves are also softer and have a velvety texture on the underside.
The flower stalks appear in early spring, before the leaves, and look like small, pinkish-purple clusters. Rhubarb flowers are tall, feathery plumes. Butterbur stems are hollow and green, often with a reddish base, but they are much thinner than rhubarb stalks relative to the leaf size.
Butterbur is used in herbal medicine for migraines, but the raw plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver. You should not eat it. It is a great example of how a similar leaf shape does not mean similar edibility.
Hogweed
Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and its giant cousin (Heracleum mantegazzianum) are dangerous look-alikes. The leaves are large, deeply lobed, and jagged, resembling a giant parsley leaf more than rhubarb. However, the young leaves can be broad enough to cause confusion.
The stems are thick, hollow, and covered in purple blotches and coarse hairs. They are also ridged, not smooth. The most dangerous feature is the sap. It contains furanocoumarins, which cause severe skin burns when exposed to sunlight. If you brush against it, you can get painful blisters that last for months.
Giant hogweed can grow to 14 feet tall, so it is hard to miss once mature. But young plants are more deceptive. Always wear gloves and long sleeves when clearing any large-leafed weed you cannot identify. If you suspect hogweed, contact your local extension office for safe removal.
Wild Rhubarb
Wild rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) is a true rhubarb species, but it is not the same as the garden variety. It has similar large leaves and red stems, but the stems are thinner and more fibrous. It grows in rocky, mountainous areas of Europe and Asia.
The taste is more bitter and sour than cultivated rhubarb. Some people use it in pies, but it is generally considered inferior. The leaves are just as toxic as garden rhubarb, so do not eat them. If you find this plant, you can technically eat the stalks, but you will likely be disappointed.
The real danger is that many people call any large-leafed plant “wild rhubarb” without knowing what it actually is. This common name is applied to burdock, pokeweed, and even skunk cabbage. Always use the botanical name when you are identifying a plant for consumption.
Skunk Cabbage
Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) grows in swamps and wet woodlands. It has large, broad leaves that unfurl in early spring. The leaves are often reddish-purple at the base, which can make you think of rhubarb. But the smell is a dead giveaway. Crush a leaf, and you get a strong, skunk-like odor.
The plant also produces a bizarre, hooded flower in late winter, before the leaves appear. The flower is a maroon and green spathe that looks like a small, alien pod. Rhubarb never has this structure. The leaves are also thicker and more leathery than rhubarb.
Skunk cabbage is not edible. It contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning in the mouth and throat. It is a fascinating plant, but it belongs in a bog garden, not on your dinner plate.
Bloody Dock
Bloody dock (Rumex sanguineus) is a smaller plant, but its red-veined leaves can catch your eye. It grows to about 18 inches tall, with lance-shaped leaves that have a distinctive red or purple veining pattern. The stems are thin and reddish, but they are not thick like rhubarb.
This plant is actually edible, but it is very bitter. The young leaves can be added to salads in small amounts. It is more of an ornamental than a food crop. The confusion arises because the red stems and red veins mimic rhubarb’s coloring, but the leaf shape is completely different.
If you are growing this in a garden, it is harmless. But if you find it in the wild, do not assume it is a baby rhubarb plant. The size alone should tell you it is something else.
Common Mallow
Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) has rounded, lobed leaves that look like small rhubarb leaves. The stems are sprawling and weak, often growing along the ground. They are green or slightly purple, but never thick and juicy like rhubarb stalks.
Mallow is an edible weed. The leaves and young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked, and they have a mild, okra-like texture. The flowers are small and pink or purple. It is a great survival food, but it is not a substitute for rhubarb in a pie.
The key difference is growth habit. Rhubarb is a tall, upright plant. Mallow is a low, spreading plant. If you see a plant that is less than a foot tall and sprawling, it is not rhubarb.
How To Identify Rhubarb With Certainty
You need to be 100% sure before you harvest. Here is a simple checklist to confirm you have true rhubarb.
- Leaf attachment: All rhubarb leaves grow from the base of the plant on long stalks. There are no leaves growing directly from a central stem.
- Stem texture: Rhubarb stalks are smooth, firm, and round. They are not hollow, grooved, or hairy.
- Leaf shape: The leaf blade is large, broad, and somewhat triangular with wavy or slightly lobed edges. The surface is glossy.
- Color: The stalks are usually red or pink, but some varieties are green. The leaves are bright green, never gray or fuzzy.
- Flowers: If it flowers, the bloom is a tall, branched plume of small white or greenish flowers.
If any of these points do not match, do not eat it. When in doubt, throw it out. There is no room for error with toxic look-alikes.
Common Look-Alike Mistakes
People often make the same errors when identifying these plants. Here are the most frequent mix-ups.
- Assuming any red stem means rhubarb. Many toxic plants have red stems.
- Picking young burdock leaves because they are the right size. The fuzzy underside is a clear warning.
- Confusing pokeweed shoots with rhubarb in early spring. The branching stem is the giveaway.
- Thinking that “wild rhubarb” is a safe, generic term. It is not a scientific name.
Take a photo and compare it to a reliable field guide before you harvest. Your local cooperative extension office can also help you identify plants for free.
Are There Any Safe Edible Look-Alikes?
Yes, but they are not true rhubarb substitutes. Burdock stalks are edible but bitter. Common mallow is edible but has a different texture. The only safe, close relative is the garden rhubarb you buy at the store.
Some people use the term “rhubarb” for other plants in the Rheum genus, like Chinese rhubarb (Rheum officinale). This is used for medicinal purposes, not cooking. The stalks are too fibrous and bitter to eat.
If you want a rhubarb-like plant for your garden, look for a variety called “Victoria” or “Crimson Cherry.” These are reliable, tasty, and safe to grow. Avoid any plant sold as “ornamental rhubarb” unless you know the exact species, as some are purely decorative.
What About Ornamental Rhubarb?
Ornamental rhubarb (Rheum palmatum) is a stunning plant with deeply cut, red-veined leaves. It looks like a fancy rhubarb, but it is grown for looks, not food. The stalks are tough and bitter, and the leaves are highly toxic.
You might see this in botanical gardens or upscale landscaping. It is beautiful, but do not eat it. The toxicity is the same as regular rhubarb leaves, and the flavor is not worth the risk.
If you have children, teach them to never pick or eat any plant without asking an adult first. This simple rule prevents most accidental poisonings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat burdock if it looks like rhubarb?
Yes, burdock roots and young stalks are edible, but they taste nothing like rhubarb. The root is earthy and crunchy, used in stir-fries. The stalk is bitter and stringy. You must peel it first. Do not eat the leaves.
Is pokeweed the same as rhubarb?
No. Pokeweed is a completely different plant and is toxic. The young shoots are sometimes eaten after extensive boiling, but this is dangerous. The roots, berries, and mature leaves are poisonous. Rhubarb stalks are safe, but the leaves are toxic.
What is the most dangerous rhubarb look-alike?
Giant hogweed is the most dangerous because its sap causes severe burns and permanent scarring. Castor bean is also extremely toxic if ingested. Both are more dangerous than pokeweed because the exposure risk is higher.
How can I tell rhubarb from burdock?
Check the stem and leaf texture. Rhubarb stems are smooth, round, and solid. Burdock stems are grooved, hollow, and hairy. Burdock leaves feel like felt on the underside, while rhubarb leaves are smooth and glossy.
Are rhubarb leaves really poisonous?
Yes. They contain high levels of oxalic acid and anthraquinone glycosides. Eating a large amount can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, kidney failure. Cooking does not destroy these toxins.
Final Safety Tips For Foraging
You should never rely on memory alone when identifying wild plants. Always use a current field guide or a reputable plant identification app. Cross-reference at least two sources before you eat anything.
Wear gloves when handling unknown plants. Some saps, like hogweed, are phototoxic and react with sunlight to cause burns. Even if a plant looks harmless, protect your skin.
Start with a small taste test if you are trying a new edible plant. Chew a tiny piece and wait 15 minutes. If there is any burning, tingling, or bitterness, spit it out and rinse your mouth. This is not a guarantee of safety, but it reduces your risk.
Finally, never forage near roadsides, industrial sites, or areas that may have been sprayed with pesticides. Plants absorb chemicals from the soil and air. A safe plant growing in a toxic spot is still dangerous to eat.
Knowing the difference between rhubarb and its look-alikes is a valuable skill. It keeps you safe, prevents accidental poisoning, and helps you appreciate the diversity of the plant world. The next time you see a large-leafed plant with red stems, you will know exactly what to check. And if you are ever unsure, just admire it from a distance and buy your rhubarb from the store.