Aslih - Aslih - Cakile arabica

Aslih (Cakile arabica) is an annual herbaceous plant from the Brassicaceae family. It is adapted to drought and salinity, and grows in sandy environments, coastal and desert areas. It is characterized by its fleshy leaves and small flowers that are white to light purple.



General Description



It grows as a branching, upright or spreading herbaceous plant, and usually reaches a height of about 20–50 cm. The stems are relatively fleshy, and the plant may spread laterally over the sand, which helps it to take advantage of the limited moisture.



Papers



Its leaves are fleshy and relatively thick, green to bluish-green, and may be lobed or irregularly shaped. The succulent nature of the leaves helps it tolerate drought and salinity and reduces water loss.



flowers



It produces small, four-petaled flowers, ranging in color from white to pink or light purple, which appear in clusters at the ends of branches. The flowers attract some insects and pollinators.



Fruits and seeds



It produces distinctive fruits of the articulated pod type, which consist of segments that may separate upon ripening. These segments aid in seed dispersal, and the fruits can be transported by the movement of sand or water in coastal environments.



Endurance and suitability



It is characterized by its good tolerance to salinity, drought, and heat, and grows in sandy areas, coastal regions, sandy plains, and desert environments near saline areas. It is considered a plant capable of settling in shifting sands.



Uses



It has environmental importance in stabilizing sand and covering soil, contributing to the stability of sandy and coastal environments and providing food for some insects and wildlife. It can also be used to restore vegetation cover in coastal and saline sandy environments.



natural spread



Cakile arabica is found in parts of the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East and North Africa, and is associated with sandy, coastal and saline desert environments.



Preservation status



Cakile arabica is not known to be globally threatened with extinction, and its density varies locally depending on habitat conditions, humidity, salinity, and human disturbances.