Glossonema, Yaradat al attar
Glossonema varians

Family: Apocynaceae

What it is like

A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows 5-20 cm high. The stems and leaves are greyish-green and hairy. The leaves are oval shaped and wavy along the edge. They have leaf stalks and are alternate. The plant has milk like sap. The flowers are small and yellow and in clusters in the axils of the leaves. The fruit are oval and covered with soft spines. The seeds are attached to hairs.

Also put in the family Asclepiadaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to Mediterranean plant. In Bahrain it grows in gravelly and stony soils. It can grow in arid regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bahrain, India, Iran, Mediterranean, Middle East, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

How it is used for food

The follicles or small sacs are eaten raw. It is the young fruit that are eaten.

The fruit are enjoyed.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Antar, Garawah, Itr, Kabush, Kobash, Kubbesh, Kurresh, Qumredh

Synonyms

Glossonema arabicum Deflers; Glossonema edule N. E. Br.; Glossonema haussknechtii Bornm.; Mastostigma varians Stocks; Odontanthera varians (Stocks) Mabb.;