Helianthemum lippii (L.) Dum.Cours.
البيقان، رقروق، أرجه
For people
- Eaten by people
- Unknown
- Toxic to people
- Unknown
For livestock
- Grazed by livestock
- Good fodder
- Toxic to livestock
- Not toxic
Edibility and safety notes
No reliable source documents people eating this plant and nothing was found on its safety for people, so the plant itself should not be eaten. It is known as the host of edible desert truffles (faqa'), which grow on its roots; it is the truffle, not the plant, that is gathered as food. It is a good grazing plant: the Omani field guide rates it good for camels and camels in the Algerian Sahara eat the whole plant readily. No livestock poisoning is reported.
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Description
An evergreen subshrub of the Cistaceae family growing up to 60 cm with narrow grey-green densely hairy leaves. Produces vibrant yellow flowers about 2 cm in diameter with five petals, blooming from February to May.
Habitat
Desert and dry shrubland, rocky areas, hillsides, and coastal cliffs. Found in sandy and rocky areas often associated with limestone outcrops.
Distribution
From Crete and the Sahara (Mauritania and Morocco to Egypt and Sudan) through Sinai, Palestine, Syria, Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula (Kuwait, the Gulf States, Saudi Arabia, Oman) to Iran, Pakistan and north-west India (Gujarat). In Oman in the north and Musandam.
Pastoral value
Good grazing for camels.
Other uses
Known as a host plant of desert truffles, which grow in association with its roots and are gathered in spring.
Sources
- الدليل الحقلي المصور للنباتات البرية في سلطنة عُمان (BOOK.pdf p.82)
- POWO — Helianthemum lippii (L.) Dum.Cours. — powo.science.kew.org
- Bouallala, Chehma & Bensetti 2011 — main plants browsed by the dromedary in south-west Algeria (Livestock Research for Rural Development 23(5)) — lrrd.org
- Flora of Qatar — Helianthemum lippii (ragroug; host plant for truffles) — floraofqatar.com
- Qatar Foundation research abstract — desert truffles and their host Helianthemum (Ragroug) — qscience.com