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Camelthorn

Alhagi maurorum

Also called Caspian Manna, Persian Mannaplant, Camelthorn Bush, Camel Thorn Bush

Camelthorn
Photo: Eitan Ferman, CC BY-SA 3.0
Family
Fabaceae (Pea & bean family)
Grows as
Shrub
Native range
SE. European Russia to Xinjiang and NC. India
Climate
temperate

About

Alhagi maurorum is a species of legume commonly known, variously, as camelthorn, Caspian manna, and Persian mannaplant. This shrub is native to Eurasia, but has been introduced to many other areas of the world.

Where it grows

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).

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. 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. The plant is mentioned in the Quran as a source of sweet manna. It has also been used as a sweetener.

Other Alhagi plants

Persian Mannaplant · Alhagi

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Alhagi maurorum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

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