Quick facts
| Arabic name | الطرثوث |
|---|---|
| English name | Tarthuth (Desert Thumb) |
| Scientific name | Cynomorium coccineum |
| Family | Cynomorium family (Cynomoriaceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial parasitic flowering plant |
| Height | Usually 15 to 40 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
A parasitic plant that is not planted
Flowering time
Appears in spring after rain
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 thick fleshy red-brown stem like a club, covered with tiny flowers. It has no green color (no chlorophyll).
Where it grows
On sandy and salty land in the north, such as the Northern Borders and Al-Jouf.
Soil
Sandy and salty soil where its host plants grow.
Water and irrigation
Takes water and food from the roots of its host plant.
Climate and light
Appears in late winter and spring.
Propagation
From seeds that sprout near host roots.
Benefits and uses
- Eaten after peeling in local tradition
- Was used in old folk medicine
Drawbacks
- A parasite that depends on other plants
- Appears only for a short season
- Too much collecting threatens it
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Cynomorium coccineum
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Cynomorium coccineum
- Wikipedia: Cynomorium
- 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)