Warning issued to anyone with rhubarb in garden

Gardens are now coming back into bloom thanks to the arrival of spring, with , and all bursting with life once again. If you have a in your then it should be ready to start picking, as most varieties can be harvested from late April until early June.

The vegetable - which is often thought to be a fruit - is a much-loved ingredient for sweet dishes like , pies, fools and jams, or simply enjoyed stewed with a generous helping of custard or cream. But should be wary before tucking into their homegrown rhubarb as only part of the plant should be consumed.

The long, reddish stalks of a rhubarb plant are absolutely safe to eat and can be eaten raw, although they are very tart and so are often cooked with sugar to help sweeten the taste. But the leaves of the plant should be avoided as and can cause some nasty symptoms if consumed.

Rhubarb leaves contain high levels of oxalic acid, a naturally occurring compound which is toxic to both humans and animals, so it's very important to remove and discard these before cooking or eating the stalks.

This acid can be found in many plants, but rhubarb leaves have a particularly high concentration which makes them toxic. If these leaves are eaten it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and kidney problems in some severe cases.

Healthline warns: "Rhubarb leaves are considered inedible due to their high concentration of oxalic acid. In fact, both the stalks and leaves contain oxalic acid, but the leaves have a much higher content. Oxalic acid is a natural substance found in many plants, including leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and cocoa.

"Too much oxalate in the body can lead to a condition known as hyperoxaluria, which is when excess oxalate is excreted in the urine. This can also lead to an accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals in the organs. In the kidneys, this can lead to the formation of kidney stones and eventually kidney failure.

"Symptoms of mild rhubarb leaf poisoning include vomiting and diarrhea that resolve within a few hours. More serious oxalate toxicity causes sore throat, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting (sometimes including blood), diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Very serious symptoms include kidney failure, numbness, muscle twitches, and cramps."

While rhubarb leaves should never be consumed, they don't have to go completely to waste as it is safe to use them for composting in your garden.

Gardening Know How says: "Composting rhubarb leaves is perfectly safe. Although the leaves contain significant oxalic acid, the acid is broken down and diluted fairly quickly during the decomposition process.

"In fact, even if your entire compost pile was made up of rhubarb leaves and stalks, the resulting compost will be much akin to any other compost.

"Of course, initially, prior to the microbial action of composting, rhubarb leaves in compost piles would still be toxic, so keep the pets and kids out."