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Is Blepharis edulis found in Algeria?

blepharis edulis found in algeria

Taxonomy:       

Kingdom:

Plantae

Phylum:

Tracheophytes

Class:

Angiosperms

Class:

Eudicots

Order:

Lamiales

Family:

Acanthaceae

Genus:

Blepharis Juss

Species:

B.edulis

 

 

Native Algerian flora  Algerian wild flowers  Flora of Algeria  Edible plants in Algeria  flora of Algeria  plants in Algeria  Algerian wild flowers  Algerian wild plants

Blepharis edulis the forgotten Algerian wild plants

Yes, Blepharis edulis. (Acanthus edulis Forssk.) is native to Algeria and other parts of North Africa. It belongs to the Acanthaceae family, just like Acanthus mollis, but it is a different genus with distinct characteristics.

Introduction

Blepharis edulis, a hardy Algerian wildflower, thrives in the arid landscapes of Algeria’s Saharan Atlas and desert wadis. Known for its edible seeds and medicinal properties, this spiny perennial is a key species in Native Algerian flora. Often called "Akar" locally, it plays a vital role in traditional nomad diets and desert ecosystem stability.

 

Synonyms:

Blepharis edulis var gracilis
Acanthus edulis forssk
Blepharis ciliaris auct 

How to Identify Blepharis edulis in Algeria

Blepharis edulis, a hardy Algerian wildflower, thrives in the arid landscapes of Algeria’s Saharan Atlas and desert wadis. Known for its edible seeds and medicinal properties, this spiny perennial is a key species in Native Algerian flora. Often called "Akar" locally, it plays a vital role in traditional nomad diets and desert ecosystem stability.

Leaves:

Thick, succulent, and toothed margins (adaptation to drought).

Grey-green color with a spiny texture to deter herbivores.

Flowers:

Small, tubular, and blue-purple, clustered in spiny bracts.

Bloom in late summer to autumn, attracting desert pollinators.

Fruits:

Capsules containing nutritious seeds (eaten raw/roasted).

Explosive dispersal mechanism to spread seeds in arid soils.

Ecological Role:

Stabilizes sand dunes in Saharan ergs.

Supports desert bees (Xylocopa spp.) and rare pollinators.

Pioneer species in degraded soils.


Type Of Plant

Life Cycle

Height

Flowering Time

Altitude

Herbaceous

Annual or Perennial

to 60 cm

Jul-Sep

0 to 1500 m

 

Mediterranean

Edible

Color

Abundance

Toxicity

No

Yes

mauve or  Purple

Scarce

Safe

Other Common Name:

Arabic

Berber

English

French

Other Name

Lissan El-Taaleb

 Akar

Desert thistle

Blépharis comestible

edible blepharis

Blepharis edulis in Algeria: Detailed Distribution

Geographic Distribution in Algeria:

Blepharis edulis is primarily found in arid and Saharan regions of Algeria, with documented presence in:

  1. Saharan Atlas Mountains (Djebel Amour, Ksour Range)
  2. High Plateaus (Hauts Plateaux) of central Algeria
  3. Northern Sahara fringe (Béchar, Tindouf, Tamanrasset)
  4. Rocky Hamadas (desert plateaus) and wadi systems (Oued Saoura, Oued M’zab)
  5. Steppe zones bordering the Sahara (El Bayadh, Naâma, Laghouat)

Comparison with Acanthus mollis

Feature

Blepharis edulis

Acanthus mollis

Habitat

Arid/Semi-arid (Saharan regions)

Mediterranean (coastal & mountains)

Appearance

Low, spiny, succulent leaves

Tall, large glossy leaves, showy flowers

Edibility

Seeds edible

Not typically eaten

Medicinal Use

Traditional remedies

Mostly ornamental

 

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