Indian rhubarb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darmera peltata |
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| Flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Darmera
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| Species: |
peltata
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| Synonyms | |
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Peltiphyllum peltatum |
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Darmera peltata, also known as the Indian rhubarb or umbrella plant, is a special type of flowering plant. It is the only plant in its group, called the genus Darmera, which belongs to the plant family Saxifragaceae. This plant grows slowly from underground stems called rhizomes. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for many years. You can find it naturally growing along mountain streams in forests in the western United States, specifically in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. It can grow quite tall, up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) high and 1 meter (about 3 feet) wide. The name Darmera was given to honor Karl Darmer, a German plant expert from the 1800s.
Plant Features
Flowers and Leaves
In late spring, the flowers of the Indian rhubarb appear even before its leaves. These flowers grow in round clusters called cymes. Each cluster has many small flowers, about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) across, with five petals that can be white to bright pink. These flower clusters grow on tall stems, up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) long.
The leaves are very unique. They are round and look like umbrellas, with deep cuts and rough edges. They have clear veins and are dark green. Like the flowers, the leaves also grow on stems up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall. In the autumn, these large leaves change color to a beautiful red.
Where It Grows Best
Garden Use
The Darmera peltata plant is a great choice for gardens, especially near ponds or in bog gardens (wet, marshy areas). It forms a large, impressive clump that looks like a group of umbrellas. It's a good plant for smaller gardens where there isn't enough space for much larger plants like Gunnera manicata or Gunnera tinctoria. These Gunnera plants are distantly related and look a bit similar, but they grow much, much bigger.
The Darmera peltata has received an important award called the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. This award means it is an excellent plant for gardens.
See also
In Spanish: Darmera peltatum para niños
