Quick facts
| Arabic name | المرخ |
|---|---|
| English name | Markh |
| Scientific name | Leptadenia pyrotechnica |
| Family | Dogbane family (Apocynaceae) |
| Plant type | Desert shrub |
| Height | Usually 1 to 3 m |
| 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
Many round green stems that look almost leafless, small yellow-green flowers, and thin pods.
Where it grows
Common on sand in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Makkah, Jazan, Najran and Al-Qassim.
Soil
Sandy soil.
Water and irrigation
Needs no watering.
Climate and light
Hot with full sun.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Holds sand dunes
- Food for camels
- Its sticks were used to start fires in the past
Drawbacks
- Not very decorative
- Harmed by firewood cutting
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Leptadenia pyrotechnica
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Leptadenia pyrotechnica
- Wikipedia: Leptadenia pyrotechnica
- 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)