Maerua crassifolia

Maerua crassifolia

''Maerua crassifolia'' is a species of plant in the Capparaceae family. It is native to Africa, tropical Arabia, and Israel, but is disappearing from Egypt. Foliage from this plant is used as fodder for animals, especially camels, during the dry season in parts of Africa.
Maerua crassifolia  Geotagged,Israel,Maerua crassifolia,Spring

Naming

The plant grows commonly in Yemen, where it is called ''Meru''. In the 18th century the plant's Arabic name ''Meru'' was used as the source for the genus name ''Maerua''. The 18th-century taxonomist was Peter Forsskål, who visited Yemen in the 1760s.
Maerua crassifolia  Geotagged,Maerua crassifolia,Tanzania,Winter

Distribution

Maerua crassifolia has been found growing along the Tsauchab river in Namibia at the following geo coordinates: 24°38'42.6"S 15°39'06.9"E.
Maerua crassifolia  Geotagged,Israel,Maerua crassifolia,Spring

Uses

It is used as a common nutrition source in central Africa, where it is called ''jiga'' and made into soups and other dishes. It was part of the daily diet of the Kel Ewey tribe of the tuaregs in the Aïr Mountains as late as in the 1980s, who would mix the cooked leaves with goat milk. ''Maerua crassifolia'' was considered sacred to the ancient Egyptians.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderBrassicales
FamilyCapparaceae
GenusMaerua
SpeciesM. crassifolia
Photographed in
Israel
Tanzania