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alhagi

Scientific Name: Alhagi

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum)

Alhagi maurorum, commonly known as camelthorn, camelthorn-bush, Caspian manna, and Persian mannaplant, is a perennial shrub belonging to the legume family (Fabaceae).

Considerations for Pets

  • Alhagi maurorum is a spiny shrub with sharp, yellow-tipped spines (modified branches).

Considerations for Children

  • Alhagi maurorum is a spiny shrub with sharp, yellow-tipped spines (modified branches).

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Alhagi maurorum Medik.
  • Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
  • Subfamily: Papilionoideae
  • Tribe: Galegeae
  • Synonyms:
    • Alhagi camelorum Fisch.
    • Alhagi graecorum Boiss.
  • Hedysarum alhagi L. (Nom. Nov.)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Alhagi species are widely distributed in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North Africa.
  • Alhagi sparsifolia grows in the salinized, arid regions in North China.
  • The plant is not native to California but has been introduced and naturalized in the wild.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Alhagi maurorum is a deciduous shrub growing up to 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) tall. Some references state a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9m)
  • It is a perennial woody shrub, intricately branched.
  • It has sharp, yellow spines (modified branches) that are 0.5 to 1.5 inches long.
  • Stems are highly branched with lengthwise ridges and lack hair (glabrous).
  • Roots can penetrate to depths of 5-7 meters, and up to 15 meters.

Ecological Role

  • Alhagi maurorum is considered an invasive species.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Alhagi species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including Coleophora argyrella, which feeds exclusively on A. maurorum.
  • Mesorhizobium alhagi is a species of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that forms symbiotic root nodules with Alhagi sparsifolia.

Traditional Uses

  • Alhagi maurorum is used in folk medicine as a purgative in some regions.
  • In Iranian folk medicine, it is used to treat gastric disturbances.

Quirky Facts

  • The common name "camelthorn" is derived from the plant's prevalence in arid environments and its tolerance to grazing by camels.
  • The plant produces a resin called "manna," which has been historically used as a food source.

Resources and Further Information

  • The Plant List: Includes a list of scientific plant names of the genus Alhagi.
  • USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
  • Oregon Department of Agriculture: Plant Pest Risk Assessment for Camelthorn, Alhagi maurorum (2011).
  • ARKive: Provides photos and facts about Alhagi.