Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Rhubarb
(896 words)

1. Vegetable

Rhubarb, like sorrel and buckwheat, belongs to the Polygonaceae family of knotweeds. The well-known vegetable species, Rheum rhabarbarum, the stalks of which are used to make compotes, pies, and jams, is distinct from “Chinese rhubarb” (or “ornamental rhubarb”), Rheum palmatum. The latter is recognizable by its stalk, which grows up to 3 m in height, branches off at the inflorescences, and is surrounded by abundant clusters of flowers. Pharmaceutical use was made only of the roots [8. 841–…

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Mittag, Achim, “Rhubarb”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 23 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_026709>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20210601



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