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.
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.