FoI
Rimth Saltbush
Share Foto info
Rimth Saltbush
P Native Unknown Photo: Prashant Awale
Common name: Rimth Saltbush
Botanical name: Haloxylon salicornicum    Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)
Synonyms: Hammada elegans, Caroxylon salicornicum, Anabasis crassa

Rimth Saltbush is an almost leafless, diffuse undershrub or shrub, pale, much branched, 25-60 cm tall, with woody stem. Shoots are ascending rigid, light coloured to white or waxy yellowish when dried. Leaves are reduced to minute, short-triangular scales, fused into a short cup, membranous at margins, woolly within. Inflorescence consisting of short, 3-6 cm long, scattered spikes, mostly at the ends of pale greenish, main or lateral shoots of the current season. Bracteoles are 2, ovate-concave, woolly at base. Stamens are alternating with linear ovate staminodes, papillose at tips; styles short, stigmas 2, strongly papillose on inner side. Fruiting perianth including wings usually 7-8 mm across, transluscent, yellowish or pinkish tinged. Rimth Saltbush is found in NW India, Afghanistan, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, C. & E. Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Flowering: October-November.

Identification credit: Prashant Awale Photographed in Sudasari Sand Dunes near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

• Is this flower misidentified? If yes,