Quick facts
| Arabic name | الغضا |
|---|---|
| English name | Ghada (White Saxaul) |
| Scientific name | Haloxylon persicum |
| Family | Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen shrub or small tree |
| Height | Usually 2 to 4 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
October to December
A wild sand tree; not harvested
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
No thorns. Thin, hanging green branches that look almost leafless, small flowers, and a big deep main root.
Where it grows
Grows in sandy areas of northern and central Saudi Arabia. Famous in Unaizah (Al-Qassim), and also found in the sands of Hail and the Northern Borders.
Soil
Light sandy and loamy soil. It handles salt.
Water and irrigation
Handles little water and needs no watering once settled.
Climate and light
Direct sun. Handles heat and drought.
Propagation
From seeds. Natural growth is slowed when sand buries the seeds and by overgrazing.
Benefits and uses
- Holds dunes and improves the environment
- Windbreaks and tree-planting projects
- Grazing for animals
- Its long-lasting embers are famous in poetry
Drawbacks
- Slow natural regrowth
- Badly harmed by overgrazing and cutting
- Only does well in sandy soil
Important notes
Cutting trees and collecting firewood are not allowed by law in Saudi Arabia.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Haloxylon persicum
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Haloxylon persicum
- Wikipedia: Haloxylon persicum
- 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)