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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
fast growing
Humidity
:
extremely arid,
very arid, semi-
arid
Propagation :
direct sowing,
sowing and
pricking out
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
vulnerable
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
none
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (1500
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-3°C
SHAPE
Type
:
perennial
Height
:
0.15 m-0.3 m
Spread
:
0.1 m-0.2 m
Foliage
:
semi-evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
blue
Size
:
2 cm
Period
:
January - April
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
0.7 cm
Blepharis, or Eyelash Plant, is indigenous to Saudi Arabia. The common name is naghi, or shawk
al thub. Blepharis is a small, thorny, fast-growing perennial herb. The branches are prostrate to
the ground, and the whole plant reaches a maximum height of 30 cm. Each branch is completely
covered with thorny, silver-green leaves. The blue flowers appear in spring, developing later into
capsule fruits. Seeds are recommended for success in propagation, and these should be harvested
in summer and autumn. B. ciliaris has a tap root and grows in stony gravel deserts. In Arabia, it
is also used as a medical plant. The woody parts of the plant are burned and mixed with antimony
to make a black powder, which is applied to the eyes as a cosmetic. This plant has an attractive
structure, making it useful for natural planting schemes. It can be used as groundcover or in rock
or steppe gardens in extensive landscape schemes. Because it is indigenous, maintenance is very
low and only dry parts of the plant need to be removed from time to time.
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Blepharis ciliaris,
Acanthaceae
Eyelash Plant,
shawk al thub