Turkey rhubarb (Rumex sagittatus syn. Acetosa sagittata) is a bad weed here in parts of New South Wales, Australia. As a native of Southern Africa, this plant likes the climate in Australia! This vigorous climber has stems that can reach up to three metres long. This member of the Polygonaceae family was apparently introduced to Australia in 1900.

The leaves of turkey rhubarb are a distinctive triangular in shape, to 10cm wide and 5cm across. They are arranged alternately along the reddish green stems that are ribbed and fleshy when young and woody when older.

The inflorescence reaches up to 30cm long with small pink-green flowers. The fruit is a three-sided nut that is enclosed in the remaining flower segments, which are brown on maturity.

The roots of turkey rhubarb are rather interesting in that they can spread further than you would think possible looking at the plant itself as it is rather delicate looking (don’t be fooled though). The roots also have tubers on, which is part of the reason why this plant is such a pernicious weed.

Why is this plant a weed here in New South Wales? There are a few answers to this question, first of all because turkey rhubarb thrives in the climate here. There is also the fact that turkey rhubarb is quite happy to smoother any plants in its path-it won’t grow big enough to grow up a tree, but small shrubs and smaller plants can easily affected. The seeds are easily spread by the wind, water and any sort of movement caused by humans like dumping or removal in general. As there are so many seeds (thousands) getting produced by a plant, early plant removal is key to prevent flowering and setting seed. Those tubers mentioned above are a reason why it is a weed. If they don’t get removed (and this can be easier said than done), they will just grow another plant as if nothing has happened.

Turkey rhubarb likes temperate and sub-tropical climates, full sun and a range of soils, including poor rocky and/or sandy soils. The plant is usually found in disturbed areas like roadsides, and along railway lines, gardens, urban bushland and waterways, woodland and coastal habitats.

The best way to control turkey rhubarb is to flow the stem down to the tubers and then removing the said tuber. Being careful to prevent any seeds from flying away is also important but not always easy. No matter how hard you try, you will end up with a carpet of seeds if the plant has flowered previously, so clean up as many as you can.

There is also the herbicide use for killing off turkey rhubarb. If this was your choice to use this method of control, check with the relevant authorities in your local area to see what you can and can’t use. There are also a couple of things to note about chemical use here. The first is that if a big tuber exists in the ground, treatment with herbicides may not work, and if you don’t clear away as many seeds as possible, you will have problems for a long time-just dig up the tubers and remove the seeds as well as possible and return frequently to remove any germinated seedlings as spraying herbicides repeatedly and not getting rid of the problem doesn’t make sense.

• https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/Turkeyrhubarb. Accessed 25/07/25
• Richardson, F. J., Richardson, R. G., and Shepard, R. C. H., 2016, third edition, Weeds of the south-east: An identification guide for Australia, Richardson and Richardson
• https://plantnet.gays.nsw.gov.au