Gymnarrhena is a deviant genus of plants in the family Asteraceae, with only one known species, Gymnarrhena micrantha. It is native to North Africa and the Middle East, as far east as Balochistan. Together with the very different Cavea tanguensis it constitutes the tribe Gymnarrheneae, and in the subfamily Gymnarrhenoideae.Gymnarrhena is a small, flowering, winter annual with a rosette of simple, narrow leaves and flower heads cropped at its hart. It does not contain latex and does not carry spines. Gymnarrhena flowers in March and April. One of the common names in Arabic is كَف الكَلْب meaning "dog's footprint", while in Hebrew it is called מוצנית קטנת-פרחים meaning "small chaff flower".
Gymnarrhena micrantha is resistant to disease and typically not susceptible to illnesses. Regarding care, this plant is fairly low-maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs only minimal watering, and larger specimens usually do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be pruned after they have finished flowering. Gymnarrhena micrantha is suitable for anyone with outdoor space, such as a garden or deck, and does not demand extensive plant-care experience.
Botanical profile.
- Life Cycle
- Annual
- Genus
- Gymnarrhena
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Native Area
- Saudi Arabia, Libya, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Syria, Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Algeria, Qatar, Morocco, Turkmenistan, Lebanon
