Quick facts
| Arabic name | العشرق |
|---|---|
| English name | Ashraq (Italian Senna) |
| Scientific name | Senna italica |
| Family | Legume family (Fabaceae) |
| Plant type | Small perennial plant |
| Height | 30 to 60 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to December
Harvest
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
A low plant with grey-green compound leaves, yellow flowers and curved flat pods.
Where it grows
Common in valleys and sandy or gravel plains in most regions.
Soil
Grows in sandy and gravel soil.
Water and irrigation
Lives on rain.
Climate and light
Handles heat and drought.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Pretty flowers
- Covers poor soil
Drawbacks
- A strong laxative, so do not use it without advice
- Animals do not like it
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Senna italica
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Senna italica
- Wikipedia: Senna italica
- 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)