Quick facts
| Arabic name | الهجليج (اللالوب) |
|---|---|
| English name | Desert Date |
| Scientific name | Balanites aegyptiaca |
| Family | Caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae) |
| Plant type | Thorny evergreen desert tree |
| Height | 4 to 8 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to February
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 tree with green thorny branches, small paired leaves, yellow-green flowers and oval yellow-brown fruits.
Where it grows
Grows in hot plains and valleys in Tihama and Hijaz.
Soil
Handles sandy, clay and poor soil.
Water and irrigation
Lives on rain once established.
Climate and light
Handles extreme heat and drought.
Propagation
By seed.
Benefits and uses
- Fruits are eaten and seeds give oil
- Leaves feed livestock
- Handles drought and fights desertification
- Hard wood
Drawbacks
- Long sharp thorns
- Grows slowly
- Some parts taste bitter
Important notes
A good tree for greening projects in the hot plains of Tihama.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Balanites aegyptiaca
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Balanites aegyptiaca
- Wikipedia: Balanites aegyptiaca
- 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)