Rhubarb is the common name for several different plants. Most of these are incorrectly called rhubarb, or have names that somehow relate them to rhubarb because they look like rhubarb. Here is a short list of some of the plants that I know are confused with garden rhubarb.

• Beta vulgaris - Spinach rhubarb

Not a rhubarb at all but has rhubarb like leaf stems (thick and bright red).

• Arctium lappa - Greater burdock, Edible burdock, or Lappa Burdock

A burdock that is commonly cultivated in gardens for its root used as a vegetable (the leaves and roots are also edible). This plant is commonly found in the wild (its a weed) and when young is easily confused for rhubarb.

Burdock
photo credit

• Rumex alpinus - Monk's Rhubarb, Garden Patience

Monk's Rhubarb is a Dock bearing the name of Rhubarb for some purging quality. The root-stock is very stout, yellow color; the stem 2 to 4 feet (60-120 cm) high, bearing pale green leaves, broad and very long, the edges waved, but not cut into. The tops of the stems are divided into many small branches, bearing reddish or purple flowers, succeeded by angular seeds, as in other docks. The medicinal virtues of the root, when dried, are similar to the Garden Rhubarb, but are not so strong.