Physorhynchus chamaerapistrum (Boiss.) Boiss.
الخفيج، خفج
For people
- Eaten by people
- Unknown
- Toxic to people
- Unknown
For livestock
- Grazed by livestock
- Limited fodder
- Toxic to livestock
- Unknown
Edibility and safety notes
No reliable information was found on whether people eat this plant or whether it is harmful, so it should not be eaten. Sources disagree on grazing: the field guide calls it non-pastoral, but the UAE Red List reports that it is intensely grazed by goats, often leaving only a few cabbage-like lower leaves. No livestock poisoning reports were found.
This guide is a hobby project, not expert advice. Never eat a wild plant, or feed it to animals, on the strength of this page alone. Read the disclaimer
Description
A grey-green annual or short-lived perennial, becoming shrubby, 70-100 cm tall (occasionally to 1.5 m), with ascending to erect, branched stems. Leaves are simple, thick and rather fleshy, 3-8 x 2-5 cm; the lower ones ovate-oblong, stalked and cabbage-like, the upper ones oblong, stalkless and clasping the stem. Flowers are about 20 mm across with 4 purple petals 12-15 mm long, in loose racemes of 12-20. The fruit is an indehiscent two-jointed pod 10-15 mm long, the upper joint nearly globose with a conical beak. Flowers from March to May.
Habitat
Hill and mountain slopes and stony wadis, on silt and gravel of wadi beds, banks and terraces, often with Euphorbia larica and Acacia tortilis.
Distribution
Oman and the United Arab Emirates (Hajar Mountains), western and southern Iran and south-western Pakistan.
Pastoral value
The field guide lists it as non-pastoral; in the UAE it is reported to be heavily grazed by goats.
Other uses
No significant traditional or economic uses documented.
Sources
- الدليل الحقلي المصور للنباتات البرية في سلطنة عُمان (BOOK.pdf p.71)
- UAE National Red List - Physorhynchus chamaerapistrum — nationalredlist.org
- Plants of the World Online - Physorhynchus chamaerapistrum — powo.science.kew.org
- eFlora of India - Physorhynchus chamaerapistrum (photographed in Oman; synonyms) — efloraofindia.com
- Wikipedia - Physorhynchus — en.wikipedia.org
