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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
extremely arid,
very arid, semi-
arid
Propagation :
direct sowing
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
low
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (3000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-6°C
SHAPE
Type
:
shrub
Height
:
0.4 m-0.8 m
Spread
:
1 m
Foliage
:
deciduous
FLOWER
Colour
:
yellow
Size
:
0.7 cm
Period
:
March - June
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
achene
Fruit size
:
0.2 cm
Rhanterium epapposum is known locally as arfaj. It is native to the Arabian peninsula and
Kuwait, where it is that country’s national flower. Arfaj is a bushy dwarf shrub with a round
regular shape growing to between 40 and 80 cm high. The branches are silvery white, and the
leaves are small, lanceolate and with small spikes. The leaves are arranged alternately. The small
yellow flowers appear in spring. The fruits are numerous, and each contains six to eight seeds.
They are distributed by wind or water. The seeds stay dormant in the soil until conditions arise
which are optimal for germination and growth. The shrub has long tap roots. It grows in silty,
sandy and gravelly soil, and is highly salt-tolerant. All these characteristics are indicative of the
plant’s extraordinary adaptation to the harsh desert conditions. Arfaj can be found very often in
and around Arriyadh, where it is grazed by camels. It is one of the characteristic plants in this
region. No maintenance is required following establishment. Because it is an indigenous plant,
Rhanterium is highly suitable for the rehabilitation of natural plant cover, it is very valuable in
the open country as coloniser, bank stabiliser and for environmental consolidation. It can be used
as a groundcover or in grouped planting. In natural locations, however, it will propagate by self-
seeding. It is also effective for natural themes such as Wadi Hanifah. With some irrigation, the
foliage will remain green on the shrub in summer.
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Rhanterium epapposum,
Asteraceae
Yellow Desert Daisy,
Arfaj