Syrian rhubarb | |
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Zeebad, Iran | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Core eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Polygonaceae |
Genus: | Rheum |
Species: | R. ribes |
Binomial name | |
Rheum ribes L. |
Rheum ribes, the Syrian rhubarb or currant-fruited rhubarb,rhubarb-currant,warted-leaved rhubarb,warty-leaved rhubarb,rhubarb of Babilonia is an edible wild rhubarb species in the genus Rheum. It grows between 1000 and 4000 m on dunite rocks, among stones and slopes, and is distributed in the temperate and subtropical regions of the world, chiefly in Western Asia (Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia) to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Syrian rhubarb a partially commercial vegetable collected from the nature in Eastern and Southern Anatolia, Northern Iraq and partly Northwestern Iran in early spring. Rheum ribes is considered as a valuable medicinal species in herbal medicine.
The epithet of species name is derived from the Arabic word rībās (ريباس), referring to the Syrian rhubarb. The Syrian rhubarb is so called probably from the resemblance of its panicle of fruit to bunches of currants, is particularly ornamental by reason of its leaves as well as flowers and fruit.
The Syrian rhubarb as "ornamental rhubarb" in horticulture with Rheum officinale.
The Syrian rhubarb is a dichotomously branched perennial stout herb, up to 1 m tall. Has thick perennial rhizomes, annual large bean-like reddish-green leaves with stalks, edible flower stalks, yellowish small paniculated flowers, three-sided ovate-oblong nut and broad red winged dull brown seeds. Stem solid, warty, leafy below, leafless above. Irano-Turanian or Iran-Turan Plant Geography Region element.