Saxaul (Haloxylon spp)

Family: Amaranthaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Haloxylon spp is an evergreen Shrub growing to 8 m (26ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Its bark can be pressed to extract drinkable water--a critically important commodity for nomadic peoples. — Its bark can be pressed to extract drinkable water--a critically important commodity for nomadic peoples.

Habitat & North American Range

Sandy arid habitats (psammophyte). Harsh habitats such as moving or fixed sands, saline depressions, dry canyons, clay and rock submontane planes, rocky hill and mountain slopes and tertiary badlands. (Zone 10)