Calligonum_polygonoides

<i>Calligonum polygonoides</i>

Calligonum polygonoides

Species of plant

Calligonum polygonoides, locally known as phog (Hindi: फोग), is a small shrub found in Thar desert areas, usually 4 feet to 6 feet high but occasionally may reach even 10 feet in height with a girth of 1 to 2 ft.[1] This plant is referred to as orta in old Arabic poetry. It commonly grows on dry sandy soils and on sand dunes. It is very hardy and being capable of growing under adverse conditions of soil and moisture. It is frost hardy. It produces root suckers and is easily propagated by cutting and layering.

Quick Facts Calligonum polygonoides, Scientific classification ...

Uses

Its charcoal is used to melt iron. Its flowers, known as phogalo in Rajasthani, are used to prepare raita.[1]

The plant is fed to cattle. It is an important part of the habitat for semi-desert wildlife.[1]

References

  1. [1]
    L R Burdak (1982): Recent advances in desert afforestation, Dehradun, p.56

Further reading

Media related to Calligonum polygonoides at Wikimedia Commons
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Calligonum_polygonoides, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.