Emex spinosa
(L.) Campd.
Spiny emex, Devil's thorn, Little jack
(c) ameliaolson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Linda Pardy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Linda Pardy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Root, Stems
Although bitter, the root and leaves can be eaten.
Where to Find It
It grows in warm temperate places. It grows on sandy shores. In Bahrain it grows in gravelly or stony soils. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.
Africa, Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Azores, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sinai, South America, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, Western Sahara, Yemen,
How to Identify
A low hairless annual herb. It is rather fleshy. The root looks like a parsnip. The stems are erect or sprawling. They are green with brownish-red stripes. The leaves have long leaf stalks. The leaves are oval and often have a a heart shaped base. The flowers have 6 segments. Male and female flowers are on the same plant. Female flowers are at the bottom and do not have stalks. Male flowers are at the top and have stalks. They grow in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are spiny.
Other Information
It is a common weed and only occasionally eaten.
Names & Synonyms
Abrepuno, Ambasis, Bezzoult naaja, Cargatripas, Ders al ajoos, Emex, Hambaz, Hambizan, Hameedh, Hamrateras, Hanzab, Himbazah, Himbez, Homida, Hommaida, Irkaybah, Labas, Largatripas, Lesser Jack, Naba, Old woman's tooth, Prickly dock
References (27)
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