Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Broom Bush (Arabic: Markh, Ma'aleet))
Botanical Information
| Family | Asclepidaceae |
| Genus | Leptadenia |
| Species | pyrotechnica |
| Category | Perennials, Tropicals |
| Origin | United Arab Emirates. Common in the northeastern Emirates to parts of Abu Dhabi. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | The flowers when raw can be eaten as a trailside snack. The leaves, young shoots and flowers are used in soups as flavouring. The slimy fruits and young shoots are used in food making. The plant is is macerated in water and taken as a diuretic to treat urine-retention. The seeds are used in eye-lotion. The sap is used as a topical run to treat smallpox. Twigs are woven into container and used as tooth brushes. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Height | 1 - 3 m |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | January, February, November, December |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Erect and bushy. |
| Landscape | Hedges and borders. |
| Propagation | Seed. |
| Cultivation | Full sun and partial-shade. Well-drained and semi-moist soil. Prefers dry and sandy soils. |
| Habitat | Low dunes and sandy plains. |
| Leaf Description | Lanceolate and appear only on spring growth but soon drop. |
| Flower Description | Multiple, 6 mm flowers with 5 triangular, velvet-like petals and are fragrant at dusk. |
| Fruit Description | The fruit is cylindrical follicle tapering to a sharp point, 9 - 12 cm long and 8 mm wide. The seeds are flat. |
| Colour Description | The leaves are green and yellowish-green. The flowers are yellow. The seeds are brown. |
Photographs
