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Bisbas (Desert Dill)
البسباس · Ducrosia anethifolia
A famous fragrant wild herb of Najd and the north. Its smell fills the air in spring.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | البسباس |
|---|---|
| English name | Bisbas (Desert Dill) |
| Scientific name | Ducrosia anethifolia |
| Family | Carrot family (Apiaceae) |
| Plant type | Wild perennial herb |
| Height | 20 to 50 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to December
Flowering time
February to April
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 small plant with divided grey-green leaves and flowering stems with small white flower clusters.
Where it grows
Grows in meadows, valleys and rocky areas in Riyadh, Al-Qassim, Hail, the north, Al-Jouf and the Eastern Province.
Soil
Grows in gravel and rocky soil.
Water and irrigation
Lives on rain.
Climate and light
Handles heat and drought.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Lovely fragrance
- Used in folk remedies
- Grazing for livestock
Drawbacks
- Overgrazing harms it
- Do not collect a lot from the wild
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Ducrosia anethifolia
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Ducrosia anethifolia
- 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)