Difference between revisions of "Limeum obovatum (PROTA)"
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In Tibesti (northern Chad) the seeds of ''Limeum obovatum'' are collected as food. They are a famine food for the Touareg in the Hoggar Mountains in southern Algeria. In Kordofan (Sudan) the plant in all growth stages is reportedly grazed by livestock, especially sheep. In Chad the plant is used for the treatment of burns. | In Tibesti (northern Chad) the seeds of ''Limeum obovatum'' are collected as food. They are a famine food for the Touareg in the Hoggar Mountains in southern Algeria. In Kordofan (Sudan) the plant in all growth stages is reportedly grazed by livestock, especially sheep. In Chad the plant is used for the treatment of burns. | ||
| − | == | + | == Description == |
Annual or short-lived perennial, glandular-pubescent herb; stems prostrate, up to 40 cm long, pale brown, strongly branched. Leaves opposite, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole up to 5 mm long; blade orbicular to obovate or elliptical, up to 12 mm × 10 mm, cuneate at base, rounded at apex. Inflorescence an apparently axillary cyme up to 5 mm across. Flowers bisexual, regular, small, green; sepals 5, ovate, c. 2.5 mm long, acuminate; petals absent; stamens 7, inserted on a disk; ovary superior, 2-celled, styles 2. Fruit splitting into 2 mericarps; mericarp indehiscent, hemispherical, smooth, pale brown, 1-seeded. | Annual or short-lived perennial, glandular-pubescent herb; stems prostrate, up to 40 cm long, pale brown, strongly branched. Leaves opposite, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole up to 5 mm long; blade orbicular to obovate or elliptical, up to 12 mm × 10 mm, cuneate at base, rounded at apex. Inflorescence an apparently axillary cyme up to 5 mm across. Flowers bisexual, regular, small, green; sepals 5, ovate, c. 2.5 mm long, acuminate; petals absent; stamens 7, inserted on a disk; ovary superior, 2-celled, styles 2. Fruit splitting into 2 mericarps; mericarp indehiscent, hemispherical, smooth, pale brown, 1-seeded. | ||
Revision as of 18:56, 3 March 2015
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Introduction |
| General importance |  
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| Geographic coverage Africa |
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| Geographic coverage World |
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| Cereal / pulse |
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| Medicinal |
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| Forage / feed |
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| Food security |
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Limeum obovatum Vicary
- Protologue: Journ. As. Soc. Beng. 16: 1163 (1847).
- Family: Molluginaceae
- Chromosome number: n = 9
Synonyms
Limeum indicum Stocks ex T.Anderson (1861).
Vernacular names
Origin and geographic distribution
Limeum obovatum is distributed in the desert regions of Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan and Eritrea and through northern Africa and Arabia to Pakistan.
Uses
In Tibesti (northern Chad) the seeds of Limeum obovatum are collected as food. They are a famine food for the Touareg in the Hoggar Mountains in southern Algeria. In Kordofan (Sudan) the plant in all growth stages is reportedly grazed by livestock, especially sheep. In Chad the plant is used for the treatment of burns.
Description
Annual or short-lived perennial, glandular-pubescent herb; stems prostrate, up to 40 cm long, pale brown, strongly branched. Leaves opposite, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole up to 5 mm long; blade orbicular to obovate or elliptical, up to 12 mm × 10 mm, cuneate at base, rounded at apex. Inflorescence an apparently axillary cyme up to 5 mm across. Flowers bisexual, regular, small, green; sepals 5, ovate, c. 2.5 mm long, acuminate; petals absent; stamens 7, inserted on a disk; ovary superior, 2-celled, styles 2. Fruit splitting into 2 mericarps; mericarp indehiscent, hemispherical, smooth, pale brown, 1-seeded.
Limeum comprises about 20 species and is distributed in the Old World tropics, with the centre of distribution in south-western Africa. Limeum is sometimes included in the family Aizoaceae and occasionally in Phytolaccaceae.
Description
Ecology
Limeum obovatum occurs on dry sandy soils, often in dry riverbeds. In Eritrea it is found in sandy locations on coastal plains.
Genetic resources
It is unlikely that Limeum obovatum is threatened by genetic erosion in the light of its wide occurrence and habitat conditions.
Prospects
Limeum obovatum seems to be a useful wild source of food and fodder in desert regions. However, research on the nutritional and chemical properties of the seeds is needed.
Major references
- Burkill, H.M., 1985. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 1, Families A–D. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 960 pp.
- Burkill, H.M., 2000. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 5, Families S–Z, Addenda. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 686 pp.
- Gast, M., 2000. Moissons du désert: utilisation des ressources naturelles en période de famine au Sahara central. Ibi Press, Paris, France. 160 pp.
- Gilbert, M.G., 2000. Molluginaceae. In: Edwards, S., Mesfin Tadesse, Demissew Sebsebe & Hedberg, I. (Editors). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Volume 2, part 1. Magnoliaceae to Flacourtiaceae. The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. pp. 229–237.
- Keay, R.W.J., 1954. Molluginaceae. In: Keay, R.W.J. (Editor). Flora of West Tropical Africa. Volume 1, part 1. 2nd Edition. Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations, London, United Kingdom. pp. 133–135.
Other references
- Ozenda, P., 1977. Flore du Sahara. Deuxième édition. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France. 622 pp.
Author(s)
- M. Brink
PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
Correct citation of this article
Brink, M., 2006. Limeum obovatum Vicary. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. Brink, M. & Belay, G. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>.
Accessed 3 June 2025.
- See the Prota4U database.
