Definition

Noun: * Pie plant: A common name for a specific type of rhubarb (Rheum × hybridum), a long-cultivated hybrid of Rheum palmatum. It is a perennial plant whose thick, tart leaf stalks (petioles) are commonly cooked and used as a filling in pies, as a sauce, or made into preserves. The name directly references its primary culinary use.

Usage

• The term pie plant is used to identify the edible garden plant, distinguishing it from ornamental or inedible rhubarb varieties.
• It is often used in gardening, culinary, and historical contexts.

Examples

• "My grandmother always called rhubarb pie plant, and she grew several rows of it in her garden."
• "The recipe calls for four cups of chopped pie plant stalks."
• "Before sugar was widely affordable, pie plant was often stewed with honey or other sweet fruits."

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metonymically to refer to the edible stalks themselves.
  • Example: "After harvesting the pie plant, remember to discard the leaves as they are toxic."

Variants and Related Words

• Rhubarb (n): The more common general term for plants in the genus , including the pie plant. While "rhubarb" can be broader, in many contexts it is synonymous with pie plant.
• Rheum × hybridum (n): The botanical Latin name for the common garden rhubarb or pie plant.

Synonyms

• Garden rhubarb
• Culinary rhubarb

Notes on Meaning

• The term pie plant specifically highlights the plant's role as a fruit-like ingredient in desserts and preserves. It is not used for rhubarb varieties grown primarily for medicinal purposes (e.g., Chinese rhubarb, ).

Noun

1. long cultivated hybrid of Rheum palmatum; stems often cooked in pies or as sauce or preserves