Tangut rhubarb is a flowering perennial, the homeland of which is considered to be Mongolia and China. Ancient Greek and Persian healers knew about the healing properties of this plant. It was thanks to them that the inhabitants of European countries learned about rhubarb. He came to Russia in 1872. Since then, it has been actively used to treat various diseases. In today's article you will find more detailed information about this unique plant.
Short description
Tangut rhubarb is a herbaceous plant with a multi-headed short rhizome, from which large spindle-shaped processes depart. On branchless hollow stems covered with reddish spots, there are fleecy leaves. Their length together with the petioles is about 1 m.
The height of the finest furrowed, direct stem ranges from one and a half to three meters. The rhubarb fruit is a trihedral red-brown nut, the length of which does not exceed 10 cm. Juicy large leaves of a green hue are located near the roots of the plant. In May or June, Tangut rhubarb, a photo of which can be seen in today's article, is covered with numerous small white or red flowers localized at the tips of the stems. The plant produces a specific odor and has a bitter-tart taste.
Distribution area
Natural plantations of rhubarb can be seen only in the forest and mountainous regions of Central China. There it grows in a natural environment at an altitude of about 2500-3200 meters above sea level.
On an industrial scale, it is cultivated in the mountains of Siberia, the Baltic states, Belarus and Ukraine. The main cultivation sites of this perennial are localized in the states of Central Asia and in the countries of Western Europe.
Landing and care
Since Tangut rhubarb, whose Latin name is Rheum palmatum L., is a cold-resistant plant, it can be immediately sown in the ground. It is advisable to do this in the early spring or mid-October. A few months before the alleged planting of rhubarb, the site is dug up with humus (three buckets of fertilizer are taken per 1 m 2 of area).
Germinated seeds are laid in previously prepared grooves at a distance of twenty centimeters from each other and planted to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Further care of the seedlings comes down to regular watering, weeding and systematic loosening of the soil around the emerged seedlings.
They feed the plant a couple of times per season. Do this using liquid organic or complex mineral fertilizers. Plus, every four years under the bushes you need to make a couple of buckets of manure or humus.
Diseases and Pests
Like any other plant, rhubarb can be affected by some ailments. In the absence of proper care, ramulariosis may appear on it. This fungal disease manifests itself in the form of red-brown spots, which increase as the disease progresses. At the same time, they merge with each other, and their middle loses its bright color. In rainy weather, a powdery coating of silver gray or white appears on them. In order to prevent further development of the disease in the autumn, all plant residues are removed from the site, and the surface of the soil is treated with any copper-containing preparation.
Powdery mildew is considered an equally common ailment of rhubarb. It is easy to identify it by the characteristic loose whitish coating that affects the leaves of plants. Over time, it thickens and turns brown. As a result, the affected parts stop growing, turn black and gradually die. Plants infected with powdery mildew lose their hardiness. To combat this problem, one percent bordeaux fluid is usually used.
In addition, the so-called rust sometimes appears on the leaves of rhubarb. This is a fungal infection leading to the formation of pustules. When cracked, rusty spores spill out of them. In infected specimens, growth retardation and a slowdown in metabolic processes are noted. To combat this problem, you need to cut off the affected leaves, and the plant itself is recommended to be treated twice with “Topaz”. Apply this drug with a ten-day interval.
As for pests, the most dangerous for rhubarb are the caterpillars of the core scoop. The eggs of this insect winter near the bushes. In the spring of them yellow or off-white caterpillars appear, the length of which can reach 4.5 centimeters. They devour the flesh of plants, invading their petioles and leaves. Damaged elements begin to die, and parasites crawl into untouched areas.
No less threat to this healing plant are the so-called rhubarb weevils. These six-millimeter bugs, whose elytra are covered with brown and pale gray scales, eat leaves. And the females of these pests lay their eggs in rhubarb cuttings. The larvae emerging from them live on the leaves and devour them. You can get rid of weevils by treating rhubarb with a solution of potassium permanganate (5 grams of the substance per 10 liters of water).
Also, onion nematodes can be found on the leaves, petioles and stems of this plant. These microscopic worms provoke softening and bloating of rhubarb tissue, as a result of which the bush gradually dies. Scientists still have not invented an effective method of combating onion nematodes. In the area where these small worms were discovered, nothing can be planted over the next two years. And all the bushes growing on it are subject to burning.
Collection and harvesting of raw materials
In alternative medicine, the root of Tangut rhubarb (in Latin Rheum palmatum L.) is widely used. the procurement of this valuable raw material usually occurs in September. The dug out roots of four-year-old plants are cleaned of soil and ground residues, washed with cold water and sorted out of damaged elements.
Then they are cut into ten-centimeter pieces and dried. First they are laid out in the sun, and then in the shade or in a normally ventilated room. You can also use a special dryer for these purposes. In this form, the roots of rhubarb can be stored for about five years.
Biological features
Tangut (dunate) rhubarb grows well in the area where a high level of humidity of air and soil remains throughout the growing season. Moreover, it is very sensitive to the close occurrence of groundwater. It cannot be cultivated in swampy and flooded areas.
Within three years, the plant manages to form a well-developed root system, penetrating to a depth of about half a meter, and a powerful above-ground part. All this becomes possible only on fertile, well-drained soil. Tangut rhubarb grows well on light loamy chernozems. Wet and sandy soils are categorically not suitable for it.
The minimum temperature of seed germination is 5-6 degrees. But ideally, this indicator should be in the range of 15-20 0 C. Under such conditions, the seeds begin to swell after 48-50 hours, and the first seedlings appear on the fifth day.
Chemical composition
Tangut rhubarb contains ten essential amino acids necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. It contains a sufficient amount of fiber, pectin, easily digestible carbohydrates and vegetable protein. In addition, it is rich in tocopherol, rutin, ascorbic acid, niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and thiamine.
Parts of this plant contain a rather high concentration of biologically active substances, ether-like compounds and mineral salts. It is rich in iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium.
Plant benefits
The healing properties of this perennial are due to its unique chemical composition. Tangut rhubarb preparations are prescribed for people suffering from anemia, hemorrhoids, atherosclerosis, tuberculosis and diseases of the liver and bladder. Due to the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of this plant, it effectively helps in the fight against some skin ailments.
With the breakdown of the antraglycosides contained in it, a film is formed that reliably protects the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result of this, stool normalizes, increases overall tone, improves appetite and accelerates metabolic processes.
