Syrian rhubarb

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Syrian rhubarb
• currant-fruited rhubarb
• warty-leaved rhubarb

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhabarbarum ribes

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Polygonaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed within the genus Rheum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions of Western Asia and the Caucasus. Within the Caucasus, it can be specifically found inhabiting the Transcaucasus region. Its presence extends significantly through Western Asia, where it grows in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the species is well-established throughout the territories of Iran and Iraq. Finally, its geographical range includes the Mediterranean areas of Lebanon and Syria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rheum ribes is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude environments, specifically thriving within a distinct elevational range that begins at 1500 m AMSL and reaches up to a maximum of 3300 m AMSL. This species is primarily found in mountainous regions, where it occupies rugged and specialized niches such as stony places. These rocky habitats provide the necessary substrate and drainage conditions required for its survival in harsh, alpine climates.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Rheum ribes is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by retreating to underground storage organs, such as a thick rhizome or rootstock, which provide the necessary energy reserves for regrowth. This life strategy enables the species to endure seasonal shifts and emerge robustly when conditions become favorable for vegetative development and flowering.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rheum ribes is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically functioning as a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species, lacking any aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and operates as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. Structurally, it does not exhibit climbing habits, such as being a vine or liana, but instead remains a sturdy, self-supporting herb. In terms of dimension, the plant maintains a relatively low stature with a maximum plant height of approximately 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rheum ribes is characterized by a specific flowering window and seed production parameters. The flowering process is concentrated within the month of June, with both the onset and the conclusion of the flowering period occurring during this time. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with highly consistent mass measurements; the seed mass remains constant across its recorded range, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all measured at 0.07299 g.

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass mean:

0.07299 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rheum ribes has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Silver nanoparticles, ZNO.

Silver nanoparticles

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

ZNO

1. Environmental research

Activities

Rheum ribes has 9 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Anticancer, Anticarcinogenic, Antimicrobial.

Antibacterial

1. Environmental research
2. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Antidiabetic

1. Environmental research
2. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Anticancer

1. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Anticarcinogenic

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Antinociceptive

1. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Antioxidant

1. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Antiviral

1. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Expectorant

1. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Medicinal Uses

Rheum ribes has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include DNA damage, Tactile Allodynia, Thermal Hyperalgesia, allodynia, antidiabetic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations