Lotus tree, Salt tree
Nitraria retusa

Family: Nitrariaceae

What it is like

An erect shrub. It is spiny. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are fleshy and alternate. They have a bitter taste. The flowers are white and in loose clusters. The fruit are red and fleshy.

There are 9 Nitraria species. It is also put in the family Zygophyllaceae.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in salty and alkaline soils. It grows in dry soil. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall above 100 mm. It grows below 600 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It grows in the Sahara.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sinai, Syria, Tunisia, West Africa, Western Sahara, Yemen

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for sugar.

Edible parts

Berries, fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Agerzim, Ghurgad, Ghardag, Ghurdag, Igerzim, Msa

Synonyms

Berberis africana Hebenstr. & Ludw.; Nitraria senegalensis Poir.; Nitraria tridentata Desf.; Peganum retusum Forssk.;