Rhubarb is a pretty interesting crop, with its steppe origins and medicinal properties and colourful appearance. But not nearly as interesting as one of its wild relatives. Plants of the desert rhubarb (Rheum palaestinum) growing in the Negev Desert have just been shown to “typically harvests 4.2 litres of water each year, while the largest plant found harvested 43.8 litres.” That’s in an area which gets 75mm of rain a year. It’s all due to the its “specially designed leaves that channel rain water to its roots.” No word on its crossability with Rheum x hybridum (R. palmatum x rhaponticum) Murray, but I’m sure it will be tried. Drought-resistant rhubarb crumble, anyone?