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Ushnan (Saltwort)
الأشنان · Seidlitzia rosmarinus
A native salt shrub, famous in the past for washing hands and clothes. It grows in salt flats.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | الأشنان |
|---|---|
| English name | Ushnan (Saltwort) |
| Scientific name | Seidlitzia rosmarinus |
| Family | Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) |
| Plant type | Salt-loving shrub |
| Height | 30 to 100 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 shrub with thin branches and small fleshy round leaves. Its fruits turn pink in autumn.
Where it grows
Grows in salt flats and salty land in the Eastern Province, Al-Qassim, Riyadh, the north and Hail.
Soil
Handles very salty soil.
Water and irrigation
Lives on rain and ground moisture.
Climate and light
Handles strong heat.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Covers and protects salty land
- Was used in the past as a natural cleaner
- Grazing for camels
Drawbacks
- Spreads slowly
- Overgrazing harms it
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Seidlitzia rosmarinus
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Seidlitzia rosmarinus
- Wikipedia: Soda rosmarinus
- 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)