Practical
Plants

Alhagi mannifera

Manna Tree

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Alhagi genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Alhagi
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A sweet-tasting manna is exuded from the twigs at flowering time[4][6][8][9]. It is exuded during hot weather according to one report[1], whilst another says that the twigs themselves are chewed[3]. Root - cooked. A famine food, it is only used in times of need[8][9][3].

Plant part
Sap
Product or use
Manna
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and laxative[8][2]. An oil from the leaves is used in the treatment of rheumatism[7]. The flowers are used in the treatment of piles[7].

Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Laxative

Ecology and functions

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
N. Africa - Egypt to Turkey.
Habitat
Waste places, sand dunes etc in Turkey[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow March/April in a warm greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out into their permanent positions in the summer. Cuttings of young shoots in a frame[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a sunny position in a well-drained light or medium soil. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, they can be grown outdoors in the summer but require protection in the winter[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Chakravarty. H. L. The Plant Wealth of Iraq.

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  4. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  6. Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods.

    ↩

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  8. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  10. Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965-00-00

    ↩

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