Rak

Conservation status:

Introduced

Description:

Growth form: Shrub. Flowering. Mar–Jul. Status: Introduced. Common. Also recorded: E Saudi Arabia, UAE. Habitat & distribution: Distribution in Qatar uncertain. Widely planted and naturalised in the Gulf and native to parts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the far east of UAE (Jongbloed). One long- established clump occurs by an old well within Ras Laffan Industrial City (John Norton). Uses: The twigs are traditionally chewed to clean the teeth and are a familiar sight in Arabic markets. Jongbloed et al. list many medicinal uses of the fresh and dried leaves, including the treatment of sore joints and scorpion stings.