Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss.

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2016) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 1: Elatinaceae to Sphenocleaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Shrub 25–45 cm, glabrous; stems erect, woody, much-branched, new growth fleshy, grey-green and darkening with age; leaves rudimentary, reduced to scales

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence paniculate, consisting of spikes 2–3 cm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers subtended by 2 bracteoles; perianth segments 5, scarious-margined, much expanded in fruit to form a disk 4–6 mm in diameter

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5, alternating with 5 subglobose staminodes, papillose on margins

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigmas 2–3, short

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Fruiting perianth with suborbicular wings, pale brown or greenish, 4–6 mm in diameter.

Ecology

Dry steppe, sand dunes, sandstone plateau & slopes, gypsum desert, clay soil, sandy and stony places, volcanic rocky slopes, 0–640 m. alt

Distribution

Iraq: Common and widespread in the dried and more desert areas of Iraq. S Mediterranean area from Spain to Egypt, Syria, Palestine.

Vernacular

Colloquial name YITNA (Rawi 9916), YATHNAH (Guest 3519), ITHNE (Rawi & Gillett 7098); RIMTH (Guest & Rawi 14189, Guest & Mahallal 15298, Anon. 20796), NETOON (Rawi 14627).

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2016) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 1: Elatinaceae to Sphenocleaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Much-branched shrublet, to 1 m tall, usually smaller; stems woody at base, stramineous to whitish; branches grey-green, fleshy, ± 2 mm in diameter, ascending, remaining whitish with age

Morphology Leaves

Leaves reduced to scales, membranous at margins, conspicouosly lanate on adaxial surface

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of short dense spikes 3–6 cm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5, alternating with fimbriate staminodes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Styles 2(–3), very short

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Fruiting perianth 6–8 mm diameter, segments winged, pinkish or greenish with a pale lemon yellow centre.

Ecology

Saline subdesert, sandy, silty and gravelly soil; alt. s.l.–570 m;

Phenology

Flowering: Sep.–Nov.; fruiting: Oct.–Jan.

Distribution

Iraq: Widespread in the Western and Southern Desert regions, occasional elsewhere in Iraq. Iran, Palestine, Egypt, Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan.

Vernacular

‘ARAD, from a Samawa townsman, SHINAN (fodder for camels) Rawi 12536, Guest 13148), RIMTH (fodder plant) (Rawi 12542, Guest 3540) or REMITH (Rawi & Alkas 16177) or THILAIDH (Guest 3540).

Note

One label states “poisonous to livestock ... and man” (Khatib & Tikriti 32199, 32198), which in view of the overwhelming evidence from other specimens is unlikely.

Use

One of the principal fodder plants eaten by camels, both green and dry. Used also for fuel (Mustafa 3154).