- Alhagi maurorum
Taxobox
name = Camelthorn
image_width = 260px
image_caption = seeds
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Fabales
familia =Fabaceae
subfamilia =Faboideae
genus = "Alhagi "
species = "A. maurorum"
binomial = "Alhagi maurorum"
binomial_authority = Medik.
synonyms = "Alhagi camelorum"
"Alhagi pseudalhagi""Alhagi maurorum" (syn. "A. camelorum", "A. pseudalhagi") is a species of legume known by the common name camelthorn. This shrub is native to the region extending from the Mediterranean to Russia but has been introduced to many other areas of the world, including Australia, southern Africa, and the western United States. The perennial plant grows from a massive
rhizome system which may extend over six feet deep into the ground. New shoots can appear over 20 feet from the parent plant. Above the ground the plant rarely reaches four feet in height. It is a heavily-branched gray-green thicket with long spines along the branches. It bears small bright pink to maroon pea flowers and small legume pods which are brown or reddish and constricted between the seeds. The seeds are mottled brown beans.Camelthorn is a
noxious weed in its non-native range. It is a contaminant ofalfalfa seed and grows readily when accidentally introduced to a cultivated field. It has a wide tolerance of soils, thriving on saline, sandy, rocky, and dry soils. It does best when growing next to a source of water, such as anirrigation ditch. It is unpalatable to animals and irritating when it invadesforage and grazing land.External links
* [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,3711,3712 Jepson Manual Treatment]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALMA12 USDA Plants Profile]
* [http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=5061 invasive.org Report]
* [http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Alhagi+pseudalhagi Photo gallery]
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