Syrian Rhubarb

''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 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 , 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.