Plants that Look Like Rhubarb are such smart doppelgängers that you will find it really hard to separate them apart!
With their bold, vibrant leaves and distinctive features, plants that look like rhubarb offer a unique charm of their own that sets them apart in a unique way!
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Plants that Look Like Rhubarb
1. Greater Burdock
Botanical Name: Arctium lappa
Greater Burdock is known for its large, wavy-edged leaves and vigorous growth, bearing a close resemblance to the foliage of rhubarb. It’s popular for its various culinary uses.
2. Burdock Weed
Botanical Name: Arctium minus
Burdock Weed has broad, stretched-out leaves and a branching structure that mirrors the growth of rhubarb. With its lush appearance, it is a must-have cultivar on the list.
3. Skunk Cabbage
Botanical Name: Lysichiton americanus
Known for its unpleasant odor, its broad, lush foliage and stems closely mimic the shape and texture of rhubarb leaves, making it a convincing look-alike.
4. Broad-Leaved Dock
Botanical Name: Rumex obtusifolius
With its broad, slightly arrow-shaped leaves and reddish stems, this plant looks like a younger version of a rhubarb plant.
5. Blood Sorrel
Botanical Name: Rumex sanguineus
Blood Sorrel has vivid red stems and arrow-shaped leaves, which closely resemble the rhubarb. However, it is not commonly used for culinary purposes like rhubarb.
6. Himalayan Honeysuckle
Botanical Name: Leycesteria formosa
This ornamental shrub boasts graceful clusters of white flowers. Its resemblance to rhubarb is evident in the rich hue of its red-maroon stems and the overall growth pattern.
7. Bistort
Botanical Name: Persicaria bistorta
Bistort thrives in damp environments and features elegant spikes of pink or white flowers. Its leaves bear a close resemblance to rhubarb leaves.
8. Canaigre Dock
Botanical Name: Rumex hymenosepalus
The plant has red-maroon stems and arrow-shaped leaves, which makes it look quite like rhubarb. The similarity in color and leaf shape further makes it more appealing!
9. Swiss Chard
Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
This leafy vegetable, with expansive green leaves, closely mirrors the appearance of rhubarb. Its culinary uses and the array of colors make it more relatable.
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10. Sorrel
Botanical Name: Rumex acetosa
Sorrel features slender stems and a vibrant green hue that closely resembles young rhubarb plants. This one is similar to Blood Sorrel but lacks those red veins.
11. Pokeweed
Botanical Name: Phytolacca americana
The veined leaves and red stems of Pokeweed bear a close resemblance to rhubarb. However, note that it is toxic to both humans and animals.
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12. Beetroot
Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris
The leaves of beetroot plants resemble rhubarb because of their large and crinkled appearance. The edible roots of this plant are quite popular in the culinary world!
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13. Bog Rhubarb
Botanical Name: Petasites japonicus
The plant earns its name from its similar-looking foliage to rhubarb. It thrives in moist, environments and is often chosen for its decorative value in the gardens.
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14. Brazilian Giant Rhubarb
Botanical Name: Gunnera manicata
The Brazilian Giant Rhubarb lives up to its name with enormous leaves that strongly resemble rhubarb in shape. These foliage can reach up to 10 feet in diameter!
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15. Indian Rhubarb
Botanical Name: Darmera peltata
Its large and circular leaves resemble the true rhubarb, which makes it a visually appealing option for gardens. It also grows umbrella-like clusters of pink or white flowers.
16. Monk’s Rhubarb
Botanical Name: Rumex alpinus
Also known as Alpine Dock, it bears similarities to true rhubarb with its sizable, heart-shaped leaves. The non edible foliage of this cultivar contributes to garden aesthetics.
17. Dogbane
Botanical Name: Apocynum spp.
Certain species of Dogbane can have leaves that resemble rhubarb, however, with a broader shape and deep green color. Handle it with caution due to its toxicity.
18. Chilean Rhubarb
Botanical Name: Gunnera tinctoria
Chilean Rhubarb’s big leaves and deeply lobed appearance resemble rhubarb. This plant’s size and tropical aura make it a beautiful addition to gardens.
19. Japanese Knotweed
Botanical Name: Reynoutria japonica
It boasts broad, heart-shaped leaves with slightly ruffled edges like rhubarb. This one is considered an invasive species in many areas and should be managed carefully.
