Last Updated on September 27, 2022

How Do You Tell The Difference Between Rhubarb And Burdock?

To identify burdock, look for mature leaves that are less curly than rhubarb. In addition, 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.

Does burdock look like rhubarb?

Burdock (Arctium minus, USDA zones 4 through 10) is often mistaken for rhubarb thanks in part to its misleading common name: wild rhubarb. Its large leaves bear a resemblance to rhubarb, and it has red stems that grow from a central area in the ground like rhubarb as well.

How do you identify a burdock plant?

Key ID traits: Large, wavy-edged leaves are light-colored, woolly on underside; upper surface is darker and smoother. Miscellaneous: Common burdock is often found in fencelines and other areas devoid of permanent vegetation. The burs of common burdock were the inspiration for Velcro.

What burdock looks like?

Burdock (arctium) is a large plant with big, broad leaves with a subtle whitish-pink striped stem running through the middle. In the Spring, Burdock produces spiky purple flowers in the shape of orbs, similar to thistles. These flowers turn to dry burred seed pods that stick to your pant legs in the Fall.

What does burdock root look like?

The burdock plant’s deep roots are very long and vary in color from beige to brown and nearly black on the outside. Burdock root has been used for centuries in holistic medicine to treat a variety of different conditions. Traditionally, it’s been most commonly used as a diuretic and a digestive aid (1).

How do I know if my plant is rhubarb?

You have burdock root if the undersides of the leaf blades are white woolly and the stout leafstalks are hollow. If the undersides of the leaves are without woolly fuzz, and the stems are not hollow, then you have rhubarb.

Is there a poisonous plant that looks like rhubarb?

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) produces fernlike leaves; to the untrained eye, the stalks resemble those of rhubarb. These invasive, weedy plants thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. You can distinguish this poisonous plant from rhubarb by looking at the stalks.

Does burdock have any poisonous look alikes?

Look Alikes Many people confuse burdock and rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) because they both have large, triangular leaves. However, the leaf stem of rhubarb is much more red in color. Burdock stems can have reddish streaks, but they’re more maroon in color than bright red.

Can you eat False rhubarb?

Applications. Wild Rhubarb leaves may be eaten raw when young, but are best sautéed or stewed. Their sour lemony flavor compliment hearty soups and egg dishes. The stalks may also be added into recipes with the leaves, but should be peeled and cut into a small dice.

What parts of burdock are edible?

While it’s possible to eat the leaves and stems of the plant, the most commonly eaten part of burdock is the root. You can find it in farmers markets and Asian groceries where it is sometimes labeled “gobo.” Burdock roots look more like something you’d throw on the woodpile than something you’d eat.

Is there a plant that looks like rhubarb but is poisonous?

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) produces fernlike leaves; to the untrained eye, the stalks resemble those of rhubarb. These invasive, weedy plants thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. You can distinguish this poisonous plant from rhubarb by looking at the stalks.

Are there weeds that look like rhubarb?

Burdock is easily confused for rhubarb due to its appearance and its misleading common name, “wild rhubarb.” Burdock is a prolific weed throughout the U.S., so it is not surprising when it shows up in home gardens. To identify burdock, look for mature leaves that are less curly than rhubarb.

How do you identify wild rhubarb?

Wild Rhubarb is identifiable by its narrow lance-shaped leaves with wavy or “curled” margins. The leaves should be foraged in early spring just as they begin to unfurl from their papery sheath. This is when they are most tender and offer a lemony sorrel-like flavor with minimal bitterness.

Are burdock stalks edible?

There are three edible parts: the young central stalk, which makes excellent food but is only available during a short time in the early summer; the petioles, or leaf stalks, which have a longer season but are a great deal of work to prepare; and the root, which this article will focus on.

How can you tell the difference between rhubarb and wild rhubarb?

Wild Rhubarb is identifiable by its narrow lance-shaped leaves with wavy or “curled” margins. The leaves should be foraged in early spring just as they begin to unfurl from their papery sheath. This is when they are most tender and offer a lemony sorrel-like flavor with minimal bitterness.