Quick facts
| Arabic name | الأراك |
|---|---|
| English name | Arak (Miswak Tree) |
| Scientific name | Salvadora persica |
| Family | Salvadora family (Salvadoraceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen shrub or small tree |
| Height | Usually 3 to 6 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to February
Harvest
Miswak sticks can be taken with care all year without harming the tree
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
Hanging branches, fleshy light-green oval leaves, small greenish flowers, and small red or purple fruits called kabath.
Where it grows
Found on coastal plains and valleys along the Red Sea in Makkah, Jazan and Madinah regions, and in the Tihama valleys of Asir and Al-Baha.
Soil
Sandy and salty soil. It handles high salt.
Water and irrigation
Drought tolerant and uses underground water in valleys.
Climate and light
Hot weather and full sun.
Propagation
From seeds and cuttings.
Benefits and uses
- Roots and twigs are used as miswak to clean teeth
- Its fruit (kabath) is eaten
- Food for camels
- Holds coastal sand
Drawbacks
- Grows slowly
- Pulling too many roots for miswak harms it
- Spreads wide and needs space
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Salvadora persica
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Salvadora persica
- Wikipedia: Salvadora persica
- 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)