Quick facts
| Arabic name | الرمث |
|---|---|
| English name | Rimth (Saxaul Shrub) |
| Scientific name | Haloxylon salicornicum |
| Family | Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) |
| Plant type | Desert shrub |
| Height | Usually 50 to 100 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to December
Harvest
A wild grazing shrub; 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
Dense and branching from the base. Green jointed stems that look leafless. In autumn and winter it is covered with pink and yellow winged fruits.
Where it grows
Found on gravel and sand plains in central, northern and eastern Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Al-Qassim, the Northern Borders, the Eastern Province and Najran.
Soil
Sandy and gravel soil. It handles high salt.
Water and irrigation
No watering needed once settled.
Climate and light
Handles heat, cold, drought and full sun.
Propagation
From seeds spread by the wind.
Benefits and uses
- Important food for camels
- Holds soil and slows desertification
- Was used as fuel in the past
Drawbacks
- Not very decorative in gardens
- Harmed by overgrazing and cutting
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Haloxylon salicornicum
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Haloxylon salicornicum
- Wikipedia: Haloxylon salicornicum
- 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)