- Appearance
- Peganum harmala is a perennial plant with a low-growing, bushy habit reaching 2-3 ft. (0.6-0.9 m) in height.
- Foliage
- Leaves are succulent, dark green in color, smooth, fleshy, alternate, irregularly divided, and from 0.8-2 in. (2-5 cm) long.
- Flowers
- The white, five-petal flowers have green sepals and yellow stamens. They are present from late spring to early fall in the axils of the leaves.
- Fruit
- Seeds are medium-size and found in a 2-celled or 4-celled green capsule that dries and bursts open at maturity. The plant also spreads by lateral roots.
- Ecological Threat
- P. harmala is found in disturbed environments such as roadsides and fields in desert to semi-desert areas. The plant is found in many western states and can be poisonous to people and livestock. P. harmala is native to Africa, temperate and tropical Asia and Europe.
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