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Rheum Nobile

Rheum nobile, aka the Sikkim rhubarb or noble rhubarb, is a giant her­ba­ceous plant native to the Himalaya, from north­eastern Afghanistan, east through northern Pakistan and India, Nepal, Sikkim (in India), Bhu­tan, and Tibet to Myan­mar, occurring in the alpine zone at 4000-4800 m altitude.

At 1-2 m tall, it towers above the other shrubs and low herbs in its habitat, and it is visible across valleys a mile away.

R. nobile is often called a glasshouse plant because of its outer curtain of translu­cent leaves which pass visi­ble light, creating a green­ house effect, while blocking ultraviolet radiation. These are likely defenses against the increased UV-B exposure and extreme cold in its high altitude range.