Quick facts
| Arabic name | العاذر |
|---|---|
| English name | Adhir (Desert Wormwood) |
| Scientific name | Artemisia monosperma |
| Family | Daisy family (Asteraceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial aromatic desert shrub |
| Height | 50 cm to 1 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to December
Harvest
Not harvested
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A dense shrub with thin stems, fine thread-like leaves, a strong smell and small yellow-green flowers.
Where it grows
Grows on dunes and sandy plains.
Soil
Sandy soil.
Water and irrigation
Lives on rain.
Climate and light
Handles heat and drought.
Propagation
By seed.
Benefits and uses
- Holds sand dunes
- Fragrant smell
- Winter grazing
- Fights desertification
Drawbacks
- Bitter taste so livestock eat little of it
- Pollen causes allergies
- Not suited to gardens
Important notes
One of the most important sand-binding plants in the Nafud deserts.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Artemisia monosperma
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Artemisia monosperma
- Wikipedia: Artemisia monosperma
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)