Dasht-e Rivas, a red gem on desert of Yazd Province
Dasht-e Rivas (Rhubarb Plain), extending in an area of 76.6 hectares, is the only habitat of rhubarb plant in Yazd Province and one of the few in Iran.
The plain is located 60km from the provincial capital city of Yazd, in the southwest of Kalmand Protected Area and west of Aliabad Dargazi region.
The distinctive vegetation of the plain, which lies next to numerous moorlands, depicts a beautiful landscape.
In the spring, when the plain turns green, the newly-grown leaves of rhubarb bushes spread across the plain, creating a unique landscape. This is while this area is a dry desert in other seasons of the year.
The growth of the plants is directly related to the amount of precipitation; in rainy years they are numerous, full of leaves with crimson, red and yellow flowers.
The unique plain has attracted the attention of people in recent years. A large number of tourists arrive in the area, especially in the spring, to enjoy its amazing landscapes and collect rhubarbs.
The region, with significant elevation differences, is a suitable habitat for various plant and animal species. The natural site was registered on Iran’s National Heritage List in 2019.
All parts of the rhubarb plant are used for various purposes, for example, rhubarb stew is made from its stem which is rich in vitamins and minerals. The flower of the plant is also used in the cosmetics industry.
Rhubarb is a plant that has long, sour-tasting red and green stems that can be cooked and eaten as a fruit.