African rue
Peganum harmala
Washington State Classification
Monitor List
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington.
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
This herbaceous perennial grows from a deep taproot. Plants are bright green and can have a whitish-bluish hue. Leaves are alternate, narrow and lobed. Plants have single white flowers that form small capsules with many seeds.
Leaves
The leaves are alternately arranged and irregularly divided into narrow, smooth lobes. Leaves have an unpleasant odor when crushed.
Flowers
Solitary white flowers grow on short stems (1-2 cm) from leaf axils (where the leaf meets the stem). Each flower has 5 narrow, green sepals, 5 white petals, and 15 stamens.
Fruit & Seeds
Flowers form leathery capsules, each with three chambers that contain 45-60 dark brown seeds.
Impact
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington. There are no known populations of African rue in Washington at this time. Please contact its sponsor Greg Haubrich (ghaubrich@agr.wa.gov) to report locations or for more information.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
African rue can grow in dry conditions, even semi-desert to desert habitats. It can grow in a variety of soils, tolerating alkaline and saline soils. Noted areas it could be found include: disturbed sites such as roadsides, fields, and into rangelands.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Plants spread by seed and also by new shoots forming on lateral roots and root fragments.
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