False rhubarb Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 1,927 found this helpful

All parts of the plant are toxic, with oxalate content ranging from 2-20% and anthracene derivatives up to 8% in roots.

Ingestion of large quantities may cause gastrointestinal damage, hypocalcemia, kidney injury, and even fatal poisoning in susceptible animals.

First aid focuses on decontamination, symptomatic support, and calcium supplementation for high-dose exposure cases.

FAQ

Is False rhubarb toxic to Humans?

Gastroenteritis, muscle spasms, heart arrhythmia (caused by hypocalcemia), polyuria followed by anuria (kidney damage), incoordination, dyspnea, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatopathy (Low)

Is False rhubarb toxic to Cats?

Insufficient toxicity data available, seek veterinary care immediately if ingestion is suspected (Unknown)

Is False rhubarb toxic to Dogs?

Insufficient toxicity data available, seek veterinary care immediately if ingestion is suspected (Unknown)

Is False rhubarb toxic to Horses?

Insufficient toxicity data available, seek veterinary care immediately if ingestion is suspected (Unknown)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Gastroenteritis, muscle spasms, heart arrhythmia (caused by hypocalcemia), polyuria followed by anuria (kidney damage), incoordination, dyspnea, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatopathy

Cats

Unknown

Insufficient toxicity data available, seek veterinary care immediately if ingestion is suspected

Dogs

Unknown

Insufficient toxicity data available, seek veterinary care immediately if ingestion is suspected

Horses

Unknown

Insufficient toxicity data available, seek veterinary care immediately if ingestion is suspected

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll parts of the plant

Exposure RouteOral ingestion (main exposure route), possible mild skin irritation from direct contact with plant sap

Toxic CompoundsCalcium oxalate crystals; Soluble oxalic acid and its salts; Anthracene derivatives including rhein, emodin, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, and dianthrone glycosides

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting immediately if ingestion occurred within 1 hour and the patient is conscious
• Rinse the mouth thoroughly with clean water to remove residual plant material
• Do not induce vomiting if the patient is unconscious, convulsing, or has difficulty breathing

Contact Vet Immediately

• Ingestion of more than a small mouthful of the plant
• Appearance of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, muscle spasms or breathing difficulties
• Suspected ingestion in children, pets or livestock

Prevention

• Keep the plant out of reach of children and domestic animals
• Avoid confusing this species with edible common rhubarb before consumption
• Do not consume any wild unidentified Rheum species

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform gastrointestinal decontamination as clinically appropriate
• Administer symptomatic treatment including analgesics and antihistamines if required
• Provide calcium supplementation for patients exposed to very large doses of the plant
• Closely monitor electrolyte levels and kidney function during recovery

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameRheum rhaponticum L.

AliasesRhapontic rhubarb、Rhapontic、Siberian rhubarb、Bulgarian rhubarb、Wild rhubarb

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsUnknown

DogsUnknown

HorsesUnknown

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractKidneysLiverHeartMusculoskeletal system

Mechanism of Action

• Oxalates bind to calcium in the body, leading to hypocalcemia and crystalline deposits in kidney tissue

• Anthracene derivatives irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing inflammation, vomiting and diarrhea

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Pigs: Fatal poisoning cases reported, symptoms include gastroenteritis, foaming at the mouth, incoordination, convulsions

Goats: Fatal poisoning cases reported, symptoms include gastroenteritis, foaming at the mouth, incoordination, convulsions

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Rheum species (e.g. edible common rhubarb) Rheum rhabarbarum, Rheum officinale etc.

Similar leaf and stem morphology; edible rhubarb only has edible stems while its leaves are also toxic, false rhubarb has higher overall oxalate content across all plant parts

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Related Toxic Plants

Common rhubarb

Rheum rhabarbarum

Low to Moderate toxicity

Japanese knotweed

Reynoutria japonica

Low toxicity

Common sheep sorrel

Rumex acetosella

Low to Moderate toxicity

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.