Himalayan rhubarb

A large rhizomatous perennial to 2m high, with oval to rounded basal leaves up to 75cm long that emerge from the ground in late spring. Leaves are mid green, with wavy edges, coarse hairs on the undersides and long, thick reddish stems; they are sometimes bronze when young and tinted red in autumn. In summer, produces tall, branching flower stems, bearing tiny, densely packed, nodding reddish-purple flowers. An ornamental plant grown for its striking substance