Rhubarb: Rhubarb on the Washington is grown from April through June, but this plant is available year round from different regions. There are near 60 species of rhubarb, the most commonly used being Garden Rhubarb (R. rhabarbarum) and R. rhaponticum; types include those with red stalk, speckled pink and green stalks.

The rhubarb plant is native to Asia and used often by tribes of the Gobi from Mongolia. There is also a history in Chinese traditional medicine, for purgation. It was first brought to America in the 1820's to Massachusetts and Maine. Rhubarb was later brought to Alaska and used to treat scurvy. The name originated from the Greek word "Rha" Latin word "Barbarum" which comes from the "Rha River" , now known as the Volga River. Although the plant stems are edible and used in a variety of foods, the leaves of the rhubarb plant are toxic.