Quick facts
| Arabic name | العثرب |
|---|---|
| English name | Uthrub (Mountain Sorrel) |
| Scientific name | Rumex nervosus |
| Family | Knotweed family (Polygonaceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial mountain shrub |
| Height | 1 to 3 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 dense shrub with red stems, narrow grey-green leaves and small pink flowers in clusters.
Where it grows
Grows on mountain slopes, terrace edges and roadsides in the Sarawat mountains.
Soil
Rocky or gravelly soil.
Water and irrigation
Needs little water.
Climate and light
Suits mild mountain climate.
Propagation
By seed or cuttings.
Benefits and uses
- Holds soil on slopes
- Its sour leaves are eaten a little
- Known in folk medicine
- A natural hedge for terraces
Drawbacks
- Contains oxalates
- Spreads on neglected land
- Not suited to heat
Important notes
Do not eat many leaves because they contain oxalic acid.
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Rumex nervosus
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Rumex nervosus
- 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)