Quick facts
| Arabic name | العندب (الثندة) |
|---|---|
| English name | Andab (Desert Sedge) |
| Scientific name | Cyperus conglomeratus |
| Family | Sedge family (Cyperaceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial desert sedge |
| Height | 20 to 50 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
It grows by itself in sand
Harvest
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
A clump of thin, stiff, rolled leaves and stems with clustered brown flower heads.
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 rhizomes and seed.
Benefits and uses
- Holds sand with tangled roots
- Grazing for camels
- Handles extreme drought
- Part of the plant cover of the Nafud
Drawbacks
- Medium grazing value
- Harmed by overgrazing
- Not suited to gardens
Important notes
An important plant for stopping moving sand.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Cyperus conglomeratus
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Cyperus conglomeratus
- 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)