Alhagi maurorum
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Alhagi maurorum is a species of legume commonly known, variously, as camelthorn,[1] Caspian manna,[1] and Persian mannaplant.[1] This shrub is native to Eurasia, but has been introduced to many other areas of the world.
Description
The perennial plant grows from a massive rhizome system which may extend over Script error: No such module "convert". into the ground. New shoots can appear over Script error: No such module "convert". from the parent plant. Above the ground, the plant grows up to Script error: No such module "convert". tall.[2] It is a heavily branched, gray-green thicket with long spines along the branches. The deciduous leaves are oval to egg-shaped, up to Script error: No such module "convert". long.[2]
It bears small, bright pink to maroon pea flowers up to Script error: No such module "convert". long and small legume pods, which are brown or reddish, up to Script error: No such module "convert"., and constricted between the seeds.[2] The seeds are mottled brown beans.
Distribution and habitat
Alhagi maurorum is indigenous to temperate and tropical Eurasia and the Middle East, in: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, northwest China, Cyprus, northern India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mongolia, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Russia (in Ciscaucasia, Dagestan, southern European Russia, and the southern part of the West Siberian Plain).[1]
The species has become naturalized in Australia, the southwest United States,[1] and southern Africa.
Ecology
Alhagi maurorum is a noxious weed outside its native range.[2] It is a contaminant of alfalfa seed, and grows readily when accidentally introduced to a cultivated field. It has a wide soil tolerance, thriving on saline, sandy, rocky, and dry soils. It does best when growing next to a source of water, such as an irrigation ditch. It is unpalatable to animals and irritating when it invades forage and grazing land.
Uses
Alhagi maurorum has been used locally in folk medicine as a treatment for glandular tumors, nasal polyps, and ailments related to the bile ducts.[3] It is used as a medicinal herb for its gastroprotective, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, antidiarrhoeal and antiseptic properties, and in the treatment of rheumatism and hemorrhoids.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The plant is mentioned in the Quran as a source of sweet manna.[4] It has also been used as a sweetener.[1]
In the folk medicine of Iran, A. maurorum decoction has been used for jaundice therapy.[5]
References
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- ↑ a b c d e f The name Alhagi maurorum, replacing Linnaeus' Hedysarum alhagi, was first published in Vorlesungen der Churpfälzischen physicalisch-ökonomischen Gesellschaft 2: 397. 1787. Script error: No such module "template wrapper".
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External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment
- USDA Plants Profile
- invasive.org Report
- Photo gallery
- Mohhammad Kazem Gharib Naseri, Seyyed Ali Mard: Gastroprotective effect of alhagi maurorum on experimental gastric ulcer in rats
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- Plants of the Noble Qur’an
- Plants for a Future database: Camel Thorn
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