Family: Fabaceae
Alhagi
Citation:
[Alhagia] Gagnebin, Acta Helvet. 2:59 (1755).
Derivation: From haj, the Arabic and Aramaic name of the plant, with the Arabic definite article prefixed.
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: None
Description:
Perennial herbs or shrubs, stem much branched, ultimate divisions spinose; leaves simple, entire; stipules minute.
Flowers in lax rather few-flowered axillary racemes; rhachis rigid, spine-tipped; bract and bracteoles small; calyx tube campanulate; calyx teeth subequal, short or almost obsolete; petals pink, purple or crimson; standard obovate, cucullate, with inflexed margins and a very short claw; keel obtuse, about as long as the wings and standard; stamens diadelphous in 2 bundles of 5; anthers uniform; ovary subsessile, many-ovulate, glabrous.
Pod elongate, subterete or slightly compressed, indehiscent, frequently constricted between the seeds, but not transversely articulated, walls rather thick and corky; seeds reniform, exarillate; embryo enveloped in a thick gelatinous translucent membrane.
Distribution:
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About 3 species in the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa to central Asia.
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Biology:
In hot weather they exude a gum called "Persian manna".
Author:
Not yet available
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