resumeIn brief
This is the main distinction before preparing a sauce, filling or dessert with rhubarb.
Useful to know
For cooking with rhubarb, the stems are used. The leaves are toxic and removed; Iowa State explicitly warns against consuming them. Wash the prepared stems and cut them according to the recipe. [1]
Rhubarb is often involved in sauces and sweet fillings. The amount of sugar and the combination with other fruits depends on the specific recipe and the taste sought. This does not make it the ready-to-replace equivalent of any sweet fruit.
When buying a leaf product, start by separating the right part before preparing the remaining ingredients. Don't use the general "green leaves are good for soup" rule for an unknown plant. If the product is not clearly identified, do not rely on an approximate likeness to a photograph. The text is for culinary preparation of familiar rhubarb, not for recognizing wild plants.
Sources
For further detail and to check the information: