Cynomorium coccineum L.

The parasitic scarlet herb that attaches itself to the roots of saltwort (Atriplex sp.) and other plants. It can be dark red or purplish-black, The stem is fleshy and unbranched. It grows 10-20 cm high. The leaves are scale like. The flowers are very small and massed in clusters. The form a club shaped structure which sticks upwards.

It grows on rocky and sandy ground. It is on salt marshes and often close to the coast. The host plants-probably Atriplex dimorphostegia Kar. & Kir.; Atriplex halimus L.; Atriplex rosea L.; and Atriplex tatarica L.-were also gathered and eaten for their soft, mucilaginous leaves. In Bahrain it grows on Zygophyllum qatarensis. It can grow in arid places.

The flower stalk is bitter-sweet and is regarded as a delicacy. The leaves are eaten. The root is dried and crushed and used as a condiment or flavouring. The heart of the plant is peeled or dried and processed into flour to make porridge.