Indian Rhubarb
(Darmera peltata)
Indian Rhubarb (Darmera peltata)
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Stephen James McWilliam
Public Domain
Image By:
Stephen James McWilliam
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Stephen James McWilliam | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Stephen James McWilliam | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-05-02T13:52:31-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Darmera peltata, commonly known as Indian rhubarb or umbrella plant, is a perennial herb native to the riparian zones of mountain streams and moist woodlands in the western United States, specifically southwestern Oregon to northwestern California. It is a slowly spreading rhizomatous plant that can reach a height and width of approximately 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches). The Indian rhubarb is notable for its striking appearance, with large, rounded, deeply lobed leaves that are peltate (stem attached to the center of the leaf), coarsely toothed, and conspicuously veined. The leaves are dark green, turning a vivid red in the fall, adding to its ornamental value. Before the leaves emerge in late spring, Darmera peltata produces rounded cymes of numerous five-petalled flowers, ranging from white to bright pink, each measuring up to 1.5 cm across, on tall flower stems. The flowers are moderately showy and attract pollinators.
The Indian rhubarb is valued for its ease of maintenance and its ability to thrive in moist, shady conditions, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, streamside plantings, and shaded borders. It is also a smaller alternative to the larger Gunnera species for gardens with limited space. Darmera peltata has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its desirability for garden cultivation. It prefers part shade to full shade and requires medium to high amounts of water, thriving in soils with slow to medium drainage. While it is generally disease-free, it can be susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet. It is important to note that while it is not aggressive, it can spread over time through its rhizomes, so space should be allowed for its natural growth habit.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Indian rhubarb is valued for its ease of maintenance and its ability to thrive in moist, shady conditions, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, streamside plantings, and shaded borders. It is also a smaller alternative to the larger Gunnera species for gardens with limited space. Darmera peltata has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its desirability for garden cultivation. It prefers part shade to full shade and requires medium to high amounts of water, thriving in soils with slow to medium drainage. While it is generally disease-free, it can be susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet. It is important to note that while it is not aggressive, it can spread over time through its rhizomes, so space should be allowed for its natural growth habit.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Width: 3-5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Riparian zones of mountain streams and moist woodlands in the western United States
Other Names
Common Names: Indian-Rhubarb, Umbrella Plant, Schildblatt, Schildblad
Scientific Names: , Darmera peltata, Peltiphyllum peltatum, Saxifraga peltata, Leptarrhena inundata,
GBIF Accepted Name: Darmera peltata (Torr. ex Benth.) Voss