Rhanterium epapposum is a plant of the family Asteraceae. Native to the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar where it is known locally as arfaj (Arabic: عرفج). The arfaj consists of a complicated network of branches scattered with small thorny leaves and bright yellow flowers about 1.5 cm wide. The arfaj flower is also the national flower of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It is a bushy shrub approximately 80 cm in height. The leaves are small and narrow, and in late spring it will start flowering (April–May). It is considered one of the main desert forage plants for camels and sheep.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Arfaj being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Asterales
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Genus
- Rhanterium
- Species
- Rhanterium epapposum
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