Red thumb, Desert thumb
Cynomorium coccineum
Family: Cynomoriaceae
What it is like
The parasitic scarlet herb that attaches itself to the roots of saltwort (Atriplex sp.) and other plants. It can be dark red or purplish-black, The stem is fleshy and unbranched. It grows 10-20 cm high. The leaves are scale like. The flowers are very small and massed in clusters. They form a club shaped structure which sticks upwards.
There are one or two Cynomorium species. These are sometimes placed in the family Balanophoraceae. An emergency food mentioned in the Bible (Job 30:4).
Where it is found
It grows on rocky and sandy ground. It is on salt marshes and often close to the coast. It is highly salt tolerant. The host plants - probably Atriplex dimorphostegia Kar. & Kir.; Atriplex halimus L.; Atriplex rosea L.; and Atriplex tatarica L. - were also gathered and eaten for their soft, mucilaginous leaves. In Bahrain it grows on Zygophyllum qatarensis. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Europe, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa, Western Sahara
How it is used for food
The flower stalk is bitter-sweet and is regarded as a delicacy. The leaves are eaten. The root is dried and crushed and used as a condiment or flavouring. The heart of the plant is peeled or dried and processed into flour to make porridge.
The plant is eaten by children.
Edible parts
Root - flavouring, flower stalk, stem, leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Cynomorium, Malta mushroom, Tartuth, Tarthooth, Tartooth, Tarthuth, Tertout, Zibb al-ard