Dhumran
الضمران · Traganum nudatum
A desert grazing shrub well known to Bedouins. It grows in the sands of the north, Al-Jouf, Hail, Al-Qassim, Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | الضمران |
|---|---|
| English name | Dhumran |
| Scientific name | Traganum nudatum |
| Family | Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial 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 white stems, small fleshy leaves and tufts of white hair at the leaf bases.
Where it grows
Grows on dunes and sandy plains.
Soil
Sandy soil. It handles salt.
Water and irrigation
Lives on rain.
Climate and light
Handles extreme heat and drought.
Propagation
By seed.
Benefits and uses
- A favorite grazing plant for camels
- Holds sand
- Handles drought and salt
- Keeps plant diversity
Drawbacks
- Harmed by overgrazing
- Grows slowly
- Not suited to gardens
Important notes
It benefits from protected areas that stop overgrazing.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Traganum nudatum
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Traganum nudatum
- 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)