Rheum likiangense Sam.

Herbs 40-70(-90) cm tall. Stem 7-12 mm in diam. at base, densely white hispid, especially at nodes, sparsely hispid or glabrous at fruiting. Basal leaves 2-4; petiole subterete, shorter than perianth, 2.5-8 cm, stout, pubescent; leaf blade dark purple abaxially, broadly ovate to orbicular, rarely ovate, 8-16 × 8-14 cm, nearly leathery, abaxially with dense white hairs, adaxially glabrous or shortly hispid only near veins, basal veins 5-7, stout, conspicuously raised, base cordate, margin entire, apex obtuse or acute. Stem leaves 1-3, ovate, small. Panicle 1-or 2-branched, with white hairs. Pedicel 2.5-3 mm, slender, jointed below middle. Flowers fascicled; bracts linear, 3-5 mm, membranous when dry. Tepals white-green, outer 3 slightly smaller, broadly elliptic, inner 3 orbicular or very broadly elliptic, 2-2.2 mm. Stamens equal to perianth. Ovary rhomboid-circular; style slender. Fruit ovoid, 8.5-9 × 7-7.5 mm; wings ca. 2 mm wide, with longitudinal veins at middle. Seeds ovoid, ca. 3 mm wide. Fl. Jul, fr. Aug-Sep.

It grows in forests. It grows between 2,500-4,000 m above sea level. It grows in Sichuan and Yunnan in China.

The young leaves are eaten fresh.