Abal
Calligonum comosum

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A shrubby plant. It grows about 1.2 m tall. The branches are stiff and green. Leaves are very small.

There are about 80 Calligonum species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in shady deserts. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the Sahara. It has high salt tolerance.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Kuwait, Libya, Middle East, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sinai, United Arab Emirates, UAE

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten fresh or dried and processed into flour. The young flowers are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Flowers, shoots, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Arta, Awarach

Synonyms

Calligonum pollygonoides subsp. comosum (L/Rer.) Siskov;