Spiny emex, Devil's thorn, Little jack
Emex spinosa

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

A low hairless annual herb. It is rather fleshy. The root looks like a parsnip. The stems are erect or sprawling. They are green with brownish-red stripes. The leaves have long leaf stalks. The leaves are oval and often have a a heart shaped base. The flowers have 6 segments. Male and female flowers are on the same plant. Female flowers are at the bottom and do not have stalks. Male flowers are at the top and have stalks. They grow in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are spiny.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate places. It grows on sandy shores. In Bahrain it grows in gravelly or stony soils. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Azores, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sinai, South America, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, Western Sahara, Yemen

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten like spinach. The fleshy leaf stalks are also eaten. The roots are eaten raw or cooked.

It is a common weed and only occasionally eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Abrepuno, Ambasis, Bezzoult naaja, Cargatripas, Ders al ajoos, Emex, Hambaz, Hambizan, Hameedh, Hamrateras, Hanzab, Himbazah, Himbez, Homida, Hommaida, Irkaybah, Labas, Largatripas, Lesser Jack, Naba, Old woman's tooth, Prickly dock

Synonyms

Centopodium spinosum Burch.; Rumex glaber Forssk.; Rumex spinosus L.; Vibo spinosa Medik.;