Quick facts
| Arabic name | الأرطى |
|---|---|
| English name | Arta |
| Scientific name | Calligonum comosum |
| Family | Knotweed family (Polygonaceae) |
| Plant type | Evergreen desert shrub |
| Height | About 3 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
October to December
A wild shrub; 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
Hanging green stiff branches that look almost leafless, with very long roots. Small white, yellow or red fragrant flowers in spring, and hairy fruits.
Where it grows
Found on sand dunes and plains in central, northern and eastern Saudi Arabia, such as the Nafud, Dahna and edges of the Empty Quarter, including Al-Qassim, Riyadh, Hail, the Eastern Province, Al-Jouf and Najran.
Soil
Sand dunes, and also gravel. It handles salt.
Water and irrigation
Needs very little water.
Climate and light
Strong heat and full sun.
Propagation
From seeds. Reserves and national projects plant it widely.
Benefits and uses
- Holds dunes and fights desertification
- Food for camels
- Used for firewood and tanning in the past
- Its flowers are eaten in local tradition
Drawbacks
- Needs sandy soil and does poorly in heavy soil
- Its numbers dropped because of cutting for firewood
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: Calligonum comosum
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Calligonum comosum
- Wikipedia: Calligonum comosum
- 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)