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Thymelaea hirsuta
Also called Shaggy Sparrow Wort
Mitnan is a drought-hardy, xerophytic shrub of dry Mediterranean coasts and North African and Levantine deserts, growing up to about 2 m with a very deep root system. It is grown mainly for its toxic, medicinally used and fibre-yielding character rather than as an ornamental, so cultivation is rarely attempted outside its native range.
Thymelaea hirsuta, boalaga (Spanish), bufalaga (Catalan and geolectal Spanish), mitnan (Arabic) or shaggy sparrow-wort, is a xerophytic shrub which can grow to 2 metres in height and has a root system reaching depths of up to 3.5m. Some noteworthy characteristics of this species are the tiny size of its leaves and flowers and that both are also fleshy. Like many other species belonging to the family Thymelaeaceae, it is a toxic plant
with medicinal properties that also yields a strong fibre used in the making of rope and paper.
Circum-Mediterranean: in dry coastal regions of Southern Europe, Turkey, and desert areas of the Levant and North Africa.
Thirteenth century Andalusian physician and botanist Ibn al-Baitar noted that, in his day, the leaves of the plant were used to treat pinworm infections and skin conditions, in addition to being employed as a potent hydrogogue cathartic and expectorant; while the bark was used to promote wound healing (see also bioactive dressings).
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Thymelaea hirsuta by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
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.
