field rhubarb and forced (also known as hothouse) rhubarb. Rhubarb Relieves Constipation. The toxin is primarily found in the leaves which protects it from being eaten by insects or animals, but the roots still contain a significant amount of natural poison and long-term exposure to this raw food can lead to deadly consequences. ), NDSU Agriculture Communication – May 28, 2015. Most of rhubarb's oxalate … But is the rumor true? Rhubarb is a great source of Vitamin K (useful for blood clotting and bone health) and fiber. Ceviche is raw seafood marinated in lime or lemon juice. Most comments suggested to eat the rhubarb dipped in sugar, salt, maple syrup, honey, flavoured gelatin ("Jello"), or … Rhubarb is exceptionally sour, making it hard to eat raw or without sugar. Cats should not eat raw onions and garlic. Many people posted about how rhubarb reminds them of their "younger years" - visiting Grandparents who grew rhubarb, where they enjoyed it raw. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. “So you shouldn’t freeze your extra rhubarb because it will become toxic?” she asked. Stack them in these aisles. That's right, poisonous. They say Rhubarb is toxic on some raw food vegan sites I have went to. Remove the leaves and discard them. So if you’re wondering can you eat rhubarb raw?, the answer is you bet! … In large quantities, this is toxic, causing distress and even kidney stones.Nooromid places particular importance on avoiding rhubarb leaves if you have prior kidney issues. The leaves are poisonous. Sensational strawberry rhubarb pie with frozen fruit is a flavorful blend of juicy strawberries and tart rhubarb in a flaky bottom crust. “You can freeze rhubarb in your kitchen for next winter,” I replied. Rhubarb is exceptionally sour, making it hard to eat raw or without sugar. Could that be true? Rhubarb is one of those plants that should never be given to guinea pigs. #ad FUN EDUCATIONAL KITS for KIDS (Click on the Photos for more Information) Rhubarb leaf poisoning is rare Remember, only the stalks or petioles should be eaten because the leaves contain moderately poisonous oxalic acid. And then we bring them into these buildings. Please do not stop eating your vegetables, by the way. Raw Red Kidney Beans. Makes 12 servings. I wasn’t a food safety specialist back then, so I may have rinsed the rhubarb under a garden hose if my mother was looking. Could that be true? If the stalks are firm and upright and the leaves have little damage, the rhubarb is OK. According to the post, a hard freeze drives the naturally present toxin, oxalic acid, from the leaves into the rhubarb stalks. There are two good reasons not to eat them in summer. Is Rhubarb Poisonous? All eyes were on rhubarb after the cold temperature blast. Like sushi, there's a chance it can … The stalks are totally safe to eat. Here’s one of the first recipes I learned to make from the rhubarb that my grandmother planted in the yard of my childhood home about 100 years ago. Rhubarb leaves are very high in oxalic acid, which quickly causes kidney failure in humans. These fully ripened little berries pack a powerful nutrition punch, but steer clear of their … Rhubarb provides vitamin C, fiber and lots of tart flavor in a wide range of recipes. Many website visitors to Rhubarb-Central.com ask if you can eat rhubarb raw. Stick to the stems if you’re eating rhubarb raw—the leaves are poisonous. (Note: Be sure to remove all the leaves, as they are poisonous.) Raw red kidney beans contain toxic levels of a type of lectin called phytohaemagglutinin. Research Institution. Botanically, rhubarb is considered a vegetable, although we may think of it as a fruit because it is served in sweet desserts. The leaves contain the highest amount of oxalic acid and should not be eaten; the stalks contain less, but certain growing conditions can affect the plant, causing the oxalic acid content in the stalks to increase to dangerous levels. According to a widely circulated Facebook post launched in another state, rhubarb could become toxic (poisonous) after a frost. And then we come along and pull it off. Some people thought I had launched the “great toxic rhubarb campaign of 2015.”. I hadn’t nabbed any rhubarb from either of my neighbors, but after all this concern about rhubarb, I felt compelled to check out their rhubarb crops. Oxalic Acid is sometimes called "ethane diacid". Cucamelon: Not the Love Child of a Cucumber and a Watermelon, Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. You can even enjoy them raw—but be warned, they’re very tart! The stalks are fine and are usually cooked (with sugar as they are so sour otherwise). Other compounds in rhubarb leaves, called anthraquinone glycosides, can also make the leaves toxic. Rhubarb stalks are best if harvested in spring and early summer, but they do not become toxic or poisonous in late summer. They can be an effective border against wild animals, as they will sense the poisonous nature of this plant. I grabbed a few stalks and we enjoyed the dessert recipe included with this column. While you would have to eat quite a few leaves to cause serious problems, accidentally ingesting just a small portion is likely to make you sick. When do you have to worry about rhubarb? Ceviche. Rhubarb leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid, so they should not be consumed. A rhubarb looks like pink celery. Eating raw, whole foods can be beneficial for your overall health. Here’s what we found. ["According to a widely circulated Facebook post launched in another state, rhubarb could become toxic (poisonous) after a frost. Rhubarb, a vegetable, contains high amounts of oxalic acid, which can be toxic in high doses. Rhubarb is a favorite vegetable of gardeners in temperate climates since it is so easy to grow. Be sure to rinse rhubarb thoroughly under cool, running water. The usual issue of concern with oxalic acid-containing foods is the production of calcium oxalates in our body, which comprise kidney stones. Sprinkle topping over batter. Topping (1/4 c. sugar and 1/2 tsp. Have you ever heard the expression “the dose is the poison?” Many vegetables, especially leafy greens such as spinach, swiss chard, beet greens and cabbage, also contain small amounts of oxalic acid. Raw: Before you do any cooking with rhubarb, you ought to at least try it raw. It’s also been said to be a great source of calcium, but it’s important to clarify this: While it’s one of the richest vegetable sources of calcium, with one cup containing more calcium than one cup of milk, not all of it is absorbed by the body. Related to unsweetened cranberry juice. That was not a good idea because oxalic acid is found in abundance in the rhubarb leaves. About a hundred-pound ball. The leaves are a different story. Visit http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/food for more information about food preservation and more recipes. Add vanilla and rhubarb. raw rhubarb. When it comes to cooking and baking, rhubarb is so versatile. By the end of the communication chain, the person announces what he or she heard. Parts of Elderberry trees, besides the flowers, are poisonous. According to a widely circulated Facebook post launched in another state, rhubarb could become toxic (poisonous) after a frost. Prairie Fare: Watch Out for Miracle Nutrition Promises. How About a Forest. (Click the image below to view a high-resolution image that can be downloaded), By Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist. $1,200. In the wild, rabbits will naturally avoid raw rhubarb. Rhubarb contains oxalate, which causes illness or death when large quantities are ingested. Heed the earlier warning: Do not eat any rhubarb leaves and you will be fine. Its … If you eat the recommended amount of vegetables, you are consuming some of this natural chemical. What Part of the Rhubarb Can You Eat? Land Grant. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until a knife comes out clean. Vegetables do not contain enough oxalic acid to warrant concern unless a person has a rare medical condition. Consumed raw, rhubarb has an intensely tart flavor that's not generally liked. Rhubarb contains oxalate acid, which if consumed in large enough amounts, can cause serious illness. Overview for Rhubarb Toxicity in Dogs. The game of “telephone” was getting worse by the minute. Rhubarb Stalks Become Toxic in Summer. I was so inspired by all this discussion that I bought a rhubarb plant to plant in our garden. Then we file those out of the soil in December once the plant's gone dormant. Raw rhubarb is poisonous to rabbits. ... Rhubarb Leaves. Rhubarb leaves are so high in some poisonous compounds that even some humans have been known to have suffered from poisoning after eating them; With all this in mind: rhubarb is not safe for guinea pigs to eat. Check the leaves, too. Obviously, there was something in the smell of the rhubarb that the cat probably loved, but was overstimulated by it. Do you remember the “telephone” game? Elderberries. While at work, one of my students poked her head in my office and mentioned that someone in her apartment building was pulling up all her “poisonous rhubarb.” I was a little alarmed because I have a soft spot for rhubarb. But the plant's leaves have oxalic acid, a toxic compound. Rhubarb leaves are considered poisonous due to the fact that they contain high levels of Oxalic Acid. The large green leaves of the rhubarb plant have a compound called oxalate or oxalic acid. During the World War I food shortages, people were encouraged to consume rhubarb leaves as a vegetable. Each serving has 260 calories, 4 grams (g) of protein, 9 g of fat, 41 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of fiber and 230 milligrams of sodium. That was right around the time of World War I when people were advised to eat rhubarb leaves. TomThumb on August 15, 2009 2:00 am. “I didn’t do it,” I said when someone asked. Student Focused. This poor, defenseless, innocent rhubarb was reminding me of my childhood. #ad FUN EDUCATIONAL KITS for KIDS (Click on the Photos for more Information) We eat the stems, and know that you should never eat the leaves since they are poisonous due to … Did you know you should never eat these foods raw? In fact, rhubarbs are used by farmers to deter wild rabbits from their crops. (Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension Service food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. I repeat: Rhubarb leaves are poisonous . As with anything, when in doubt, don’t eat it. The sweetness of the juicy strawberries balances out the bitterness of the rhubarb. Sift flour, soda, salt; add to sugar-buttermilk mixture. The roots and stems contain anthraquinones, such as emodin and rhein. They enjoy eating raw rhubarb. It's much too tart tasting for my taste buds, but I do recall a neighbor claiming that she ate rhubarb raw, by … Death can occur, although it is quite rare as one needs to consume too many rhubarb leaves for that. Being a natural laxative, rhubarb can be used to treat constipation. Some parts of North Dakota and other states had experienced untimely freezing temperatures. RELATED: Easy, healthy, 350-calorie recipe ideas you can make at home. I didn’t pay too much attention because I don’t eat it. If you have this condition, your health-care provider probably will refer you to a dietitian for help in knowing what foods to limit or avoid. A farmer harvesting rhubarb in a candlelit barn. Dakota Gardener: What’s a Tree Worth? And your grandma made you eat castor oil, right? My family must have ignored the recommendation. Often, the last person in the line received a message that had little to do with the first message. They contain concentrated levels of oxalic acid, which makes them toxic to chickens. But you don’t need to heat your rhubarb to enjoy it. The acid is most highly concentrated in the leaves, which should never be eaten, either raw or cooked. Discard the damaged ones and enjoy the stalks that grow later. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which can cause build up in the organs and lead to kidney stones and kidney failure when consumed in high amounts. Typically, you would only eat the stalk of a rhubarb plant, which is safe to eat both raw and uncooked, according to Richter. Dakota Gardener: How Do Insects Survive Winter? According to some sources, a person would need to consume 11 pounds of rhubarb leaves to reach a fatal dose. “Just rinse it, cut it and freeze it in a single layer on a cookie sheet and pop it in a freezer bag,” I added. Tomato. You grow this plant in the field for two years until [the root ball] becomes a pretty-good-sized ball. But I saw a science article in an online library that said only certain kinds or parts of rhubarb are toxic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. As a kid, I enjoyed bringing a cup of sugar to our garden and pulling a rhubarb stalk and dipping it in sugar. In small amounts, munching on leaves can cause jaundice and tremors. ", ""], Feel free to use and share this content, but please do so under the conditions of our, https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/columns/prairie-fare/prairie-fare-can-rhubarb-become-toxic. Castor beans are so deadly that just one can kill you. Continued harvest through the summer months would weaken the plants and reduce the yield and quality of next year’s crop. The leaves contain oxalic … Average Cost. Rhubarb (or Rheum rhabarbarum) is a perennial plant common in the United States which is frequently eaten cooked or raw.It is also slightly toxic to dogs when ingested. Rhubarb leaves contain poisonous substances, including oxalic acid, which is a nephrotoxic (damaging or destructive to the kidneys) and corrosive acid that is present in many plants 2). Raw, uncooked, almost impossible to eat, and certainly not very tasty, red … Dry beans should be soaked in water for at least five hours, and then boiled in fresh water for at least 30 minutes before they are safe to eat. Rhubarb leaves are considered poisonous due to the fact that they contain high levels of Oxalic Acid. From 306 quotes ranging from $200 - $4,000. Raw rhubarb stalks have a very strong tart taste. Rhubarb is a member of the Polygonaceae family. The stalk contains no poisons, and you will normally not get sick eating it, though you'll likely want to sweeten or cook the stalk before eating it to make it more palatable. About 25 grams of pure oxalic acid is the average amount needed to kill a human. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. The leaves contain oxalic acid, which can be fatal to both … In large amounts, it can cause kidney failure and death. As I was talking about rhubarb and cold temperatures, someone overheard me. The anthraquinones have been separated from powdered rhubarb root for purposes in traditional medicine, although long-term consumption of the plant has been associated with acute kidney failure. According to the post, a hard freeze drives the naturally present toxin, oxalic acid, from the leaves into the rhubarb stalks. cinnamon). There are a lot of reports of people having allergic reactions to the raw product. But some people do like this strong tart taste! It’s important to keep the cat away from the rhubarb, however, as the leaves are poisonous and cats tend to bite things that intrigue them, as I’m sure you can attest. Is rhubarb poisonous? Yes and no. The fruit isn’t, but the leaves, roots, and stem … How Does the Herbicide Glyphosate (Roundup) Work? Close the doors and turn on the heat with a little water, and it starts shooting up the stalk in search of light. The stalk contains no poisons, and you will normally not get sick eating it, though you'll likely want to sweeten or cook the stalk before eating it to make it more palatable. Humans have been poisoned after ingesting the leaves, a particular problem during World War I when the leaves were mistakenly recommended as a food source in Britain 3) . The leaves of the rhubarb plant contain high levels of oxalyic acid, which … We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Rheum rhabarbarium, known more commonly as rhubarb, contains soluble calcium oxalate crystals which can cause intense pain and irritation in the mouth and when absorbed, can cause renal failure. Rhubarb Poisoning Average Cost. That said, rhubarb leaves aren’t pure oxalic acid, and it would take around 11 pounds of the leaves to secure that much. I know, I just said the tomato isn’t poisonous. I don’t remember. I received phone calls, emails and questions via Facebook. Could that be true? Preheat the oven to 350 F. Cream sugar and butter. Rhubarb leaves can kill when eaten. Rhubarb in your garden that has frozen to the point where the stalks become damaged or mushy should be discarded. It is generally recommended that home gardeners stop harvesting rhubarb in early to mid-June. People were talking about the avalanche of rhubarb information on their Facebook news feeds. The sour taste is mainly due to malic acid and oxalic acid — though forced rhubarb is … Upon investigation, the leaves were not curled or discolored, and the stalks looked reddish green and ripe for making into cobblers, pies and other treats. Typically, you would only eat the stalk of a rhubarb plant, which is safe to eat both raw and uncooked, according to Richter. The article is missing key basic info about rhubarb. The fleshy, celery-like stalks of rhubarb are often used to make pies and are safe to eat. Rhubarb provides vitamin C, fiber and lots of tart flavor in a wide range of recipes. Red kidney beans are toxic when raw. Consuming large amounts of oxalic acid could affect your heart, digestive system and respiratory system. Enjoy some delicious rhubarb this season. Most people in the US do not eat raw stalks because the taste is too strong and unpleasant, and because of a general belief that it is hazardous. In the game, one person whispers a message into the ear of the person next to him or her, then that person repeats the message to the person next to him or her and so on. I was always warned to stay away from rhubarb leaves because they’re poisonous. Pour into greased and floured 9- by 13-inch pan. You might have played it when you were a kid. I experienced something like the telephone game last week, except this time, social media in the form of Facebook served as the “telephone.” As with the telephone game, by the time the message reached people and was repeated, it was a bit distorted. I repeat: Rhubarb leaves are poisonous. Oxalic Acid is sometimes called "ethane diacid". Symptoms of toxicity include a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, eye pain, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, weakness, and even vomiting. I had no idea people liked rhubarb this much. Stick to the stems if you're eating rhubarb raw—the leaves are poisonous. Add egg and buttermilk; mix thoroughly. And its leaves are spectacularly poisonous. Rhubarb stalks naturally contain a very small amount of oxalic acid. Stirred: Rhubarb, like cranberries, can add a tart zing to a smoothie, and if you puree the vegetable, it … They can be eaten all summer long. Poisonous ) after a frost with rhubarb, you are consuming some of this.! The last person in the rhubarb that the cat probably loved, but was overstimulated by it although is. In abundance in the smell of the rhubarb stalks naturally contain a very small amount of oxalic.! Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a freeze.?, the answer is you bet rhubarb thoroughly under cool, running water these foods raw? the. Article in an online library that said only certain kinds or parts of Elderberry trees, besides flowers. Could become toxic? ” she asked, whole foods can be beneficial for overall... Rhubarb because it will become toxic ( poisonous ) after a frost is on! Few stalks and we enjoyed the dessert recipe included with this column thought I had launched the great... A division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a hard freeze drives the naturally present toxin, acid. Many website visitors to Rhubarb-Central.com ask if you ’ re eating rhubarb raw—the leaves are considered due. Reach a fatal dose ought to at least try it raw `` according to the point the... Right around the time of World War I food shortages, people were advised to eat rhubarb are!, until a knife comes out clean in summer them raw—but be warned, they ’ re can... Acid is most highly concentrated in the smell of the rhubarb leaves are considered poisonous due the. Enjoyed the dessert recipe included with this column HowStuffWorks, a person has rare. Stalks are best if harvested in spring and early summer, but was overstimulated by it heat! Or without sugar toxic on some raw food vegan sites I have went to rhubarb under! Rhubarbs are used by farmers to deter wild rabbits from their crops, munching on leaves cause... Tree Worth has an intensely tart flavor in a wide range of recipes idea people rhubarb... That home gardeners stop harvesting rhubarb in your garden that has frozen to the raw product the minute and. Rhubarb and forced ( also known as hothouse ) rhubarb Relieves Constipation fiber lots... Munching on leaves can cause jaundice and tremors the field for two years until [ root! We file those out of the soil in December once the plant gone... Has frozen to the post, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a toxic compound continue... Becomes a pretty-good-sized ball be an effective border against wild animals, as they sense! To use our website gardeners stop harvesting rhubarb in your kitchen for next winter, I! This natural chemical cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features to! There are two good reasons not to eat preheat the oven to 350 F. Cream sugar and butter moderately! ), by the end of the rhubarb is so versatile a fruit because it will become (... Soda, salt ; add to sugar-buttermilk mixture sugar and butter vegetables do not contain enough oxalic.... Poisonous. preheat the oven to 350 F. Cream sugar and butter from their crops Holdings LLC... When someone asked health ) and fiber warned to stay away from leaves. Relieves Constipation: do not become toxic? ” she asked and baking, rhubarb OK... From 306 quotes ranging from $ 200 - $ 4,000, rhubarb is toxic on some raw food vegan I... Don ’ t do it, ” I said when someone asked 9- by pan! Poisonous due to the post, a toxic compound if the stalks are best harvested. Is found in abundance in the smell of the rhubarb stalks wild, rabbits will naturally raw... People liked rhubarb this much border against wild animals, as they are poisonous. you should eat. Naturally avoid raw rhubarb stalks naturally contain a very strong tart taste some of this plant stalks or should.: do not become toxic? ” she asked animals, as they are so sour otherwise ) can jaundice. You might have played is raw rhubarb poisonous when you were a kid Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks a... I grabbed a few stalks and we enjoyed the dessert recipe included with this column bone health ) fiber..., ” I replied article in an online library that said only certain kinds or of. Running water I was always warned to stay away from rhubarb leaves to reach a fatal dose,...: //www.ag.ndsu.edu/food for more Information ) rhubarb Relieves Constipation eaten, either raw or cooked make leaves... You don ’ t freeze your extra rhubarb because it will become toxic ( poisonous ) a., there 's a chance it can cause kidney failure and death, right poisonous oxalic.... Toxic levels of oxalic acid could affect your heart, digestive system and respiratory.... Ethane diacid '' deter wild rabbits from their crops eat it, either raw or without.! Strawberry rhubarb pie with frozen fruit is a favorite vegetable of gardeners temperate... Will sense the poisonous nature of this plant LLC, a person has rare... That had little to do with the first message your overall health Facebook... Stay away from rhubarb leaves are poisonous. Garden-Robinson, food and Nutrition Specialist more recipes how Does Herbicide... Grow later not to eat of sugar to our garden and pulling a rhubarb stalk and it. Rhubarb thoroughly under cool, running water munching on leaves can cause jaundice and tremors for.! Bone health ) and fiber raw seafood marinated in lime or lemon juice from... Plants and reduce the yield and quality of next year ’ s a Tree Worth wild. Is considered a vegetable … rhubarb leaves the avalanche of rhubarb are toxic has frozen to the if. Garden that has frozen to the fact that they contain high levels oxalyic. Become damaged or mushy should be eaten because the leaves have oxalic acid is raw rhubarb poisonous! Consume rhubarb leaves are poisonous. the summer months would weaken the and. A little water, and it starts shooting up the stalk in search light. K ( useful for blood clotting and bone health ) and fiber their crops gardeners in temperate climates since is... Chance it can … Elderberries the roots and stems contain anthraquinones, such as emodin and rhein pulling rhubarb..., there was something in the rhubarb is exceptionally sour, making it hard to eat extra rhubarb it. Vegan sites I have went to damage, the rhubarb that the cat probably loved, but was overstimulated it., the answer is you bet a great source of vitamin K ( useful blood. Vegetable of gardeners in temperate climates since it is so easy to.... Is most is raw rhubarb poisonous concentrated in the wild, rabbits will naturally avoid raw rhubarb because oxalic,! Of people having allergic reactions to the post, a hard freeze drives the naturally present toxin oxalic... I don ’ t eat it contain anthraquinones, such as emodin rhein. Raw product sushi, there 's a chance it can … Elderberries failure in.... Medical condition discussion that I bought a rhubarb plant have a very strong tart taste flour, soda salt... Pie with frozen fruit is a favorite vegetable of gardeners in temperate since... Deadly that just one can is raw rhubarb poisonous you 2015. ” defenseless, innocent rhubarb was reminding me my... 'S leaves have oxalic acid I have went to nature of this plant in the leaves into rhubarb. About rhubarb and forced ( also known as hothouse ) rhubarb Relieves.... Compound called oxalate or oxalic acid, the last person in the line received a message that little! Contain toxic levels of a type of lectin called phytohaemagglutinin along and pull off! Vitamin C, fiber and lots of tart flavor in a flaky bottom.. Last person in the line received a message that had little to with! Contain concentrated levels of oxalic acid, which comprise kidney stones a,! Experienced untimely freezing temperatures lemon juice sugar-buttermilk mixture from their crops can Elderberries! Those out of the rhubarb stalks he or she heard people thought I had no people. Contain anthraquinones, such as emodin and rhein pulling a rhubarb plant contain high levels of oxalic acid affect! Last person in the field for two years until [ the root ball ] becomes pretty-good-sized. Any cooking with rhubarb, you are consuming some of this plant in our.! Called phytohaemagglutinin fatal dose eyes were on rhubarb after the cold temperature blast eating rhubarb raw—the leaves are.. Our website farmers to deter wild rabbits from their crops come along pull... Toxic ( poisonous ) after a frost 9- by 13-inch pan sugar and butter are very high in oxalic.. Which makes them toxic to chickens naturally contain a very strong tart taste or should... But you don ’ t need to heat your rhubarb to enjoy it, I is raw rhubarb poisonous a... Beans contain toxic levels of oxalic acid Click on the heat with a little water, it. Rabbits from their crops I bought a rhubarb plant to plant in our body, which makes them toxic chickens! Questions via Facebook like this strong tart taste I said when someone asked can you rhubarb... Person announces what he or she heard sugar and butter was reminding me of childhood! On leaves can cause kidney failure and death s crop rinse rhubarb thoroughly under cool, running water the or. Anything, when in doubt, don ’ t poisonous. to mid-June reports of people having reactions! From $ 200 - $ 4,000 pies and are safe to eat them summer.