Dyerophytum socotranum

Dyerophytum socotranum is a small shrub growing up to 2m tall, rather glaucous and covered in white mealy powder. It has yellow flowers.

Dyerophytum socotranum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Genus: Dyerophytum
Species:
D. socotranum
Binomial name
Dyerophytum socotranum
(Gibs. ex Wight) Kutze
Synonyms

Dyerophytum indicum var. socotrana

Habitat

Dyerophytum socotranum is endemic to Socotra (Yemen). It lives in dry habitats on limestone cliffs, boulders and wadis up to an altitude of 30–650m.[1]

Uses

The mineral coating on the Dyerophytum socotranum was an important saline browse for livestock, especially the camels of the mountains and plains areas as well as providing a substitute for salt used during cooking.

The dried stem of the plant was also sliced into thin shavings and smoked as a tobacco, usually for medicinal reasons to treat chest conditions and breathing difficulties.

The older, tougher stems were also traditionally used in Dhofar for building bird traps, used mainly to capture partridges. The birds were attracted to the traps by the bait of scattered grain.[2]

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References
  1. Miller, A. (2004). "Dyerophytum socotranum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2004: e.T37863A10077443. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  2. G. Miller, Anthony; Morris, Miranda (1988). Plants of Dhofar. Oman. p. 228. ISBN 071570808-2.
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