172.70.162.89 at 18:45, 7 October 2022

2022-10-07T18:45:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:15, 8 October 2022
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	[[Category:Inuleae]]		[[Category:Inuleae]]
	[[Category:Taxa named by Daniel Oliver]]		[[Category:Taxa named by Daniel Oliver]]
			[[Category:State symbols of Kuwait]]

	{{Asteroideae-stub}}		{{Asteroideae-stub}}

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{{Unreferenced|type=plant|date=December 2009}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Rhanterium-epapposum-near-Jubail-SaudiArabia-15apr2009-JohnNorton.jpg
|genus = Rhanterium
|species = epapposum
|authority = [[Daniel Oliver (botanist)|Oliv.]]
}}
[[File:Rhanterium epapposum — Arfaj, Kuwait National flower — I Love Q8.jpg|thumb|left|General aspect]]
[[File:Rhanterium-epapposum-leaf-JohnNorton.jpg|thumb|left|Stem and leaf close-up]]

'''''Rhanterium epapposum''''' is a plant of the family [[Asteraceae]]. Native to the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula including [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Kuwait]] and [[Qatar]] where it is known locally as ''arfaj'' ({{Lang-ar|عرفج}}). The ''Arfaj'' plant consists of a complicated network of branches scattered with small thorny leaves and bright yellow flowers about 1.5 cm wide. The ''arfaj'' flower is also the national flower of Kuwait. It is a bushy shrub approximately 80 cm height. The leaves are small and narrow, and in late spring it will start flowering (April–May). It is considered one of the main desert forage plants for camels and sheep.

When cold temperature prevails the plant produces leaves quickly after rainfall. In a few months, the branches and newly formed leaves become vigorous, and the yellow flowers are produced, attracting insects and birds. In the summer, when the earth has dried out, the leaves fall and the branches become naked and lignified with living fibers. In times of stress, these alterations may be important in increasing the chance of survival, water and reserve material stored in the stems to remain alive by allowing it to have few dormant bud. When conditions improve, the reserves are transported into buds allowing new growth.

''Arfaj'' [[fruit]] is numerous; it forms in late spring and falls off the branches after maturity. It accumulates under the shrub and remains dormant until favorable conditions for germination prevail. Each fruit contains about 6-8 [[seeds]] that are transported by wind or water.

{{Taxonbar|from=Q7320211}}

[[Category:Inuleae]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Daniel Oliver]]

{{Asteroideae-stub}}

Rhanterium epapposum - Revision history

172.70.162.89 at 18:45, 7 October 2022

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