Forskal fig marigold
Mesembryanthemum forsskahlei

Family: Aizoaceae

What it is like

A chunky looking succulent plant. It is an annual plant. It grows 20 cm high. The leaves and branches are light green, often with a reddish tinge. The leaves are opposite each other. The leaves are fattened and almost cylinder shaped. The stems and leaves have fattened processes that shine in the sunlight. There is a green layer around the flower protecting it in bud and this is cone shaped. The flowers are pale yellow with stamens that are modified.

Also put in the family Mesembryanthemaceae.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant. In Bahrain it grows in sandy soils in desert areas. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Egypt - Sinai, Israel, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Sinai

How it is used for food

The capsules are soaked and dried and the seeds separated for making bread.

It is used by Bedouins.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ghasool, Samah, Samh

Synonyms

Opophytum forskalii (Hochst.) N.E.Br.;