Common Name:

General Information

Tetraena alba is a succulent-leafed dwarf shrub or subshrub growing about 50cm tall and spreading[]. The young parts are greyish, cobwebby tomentose[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and is sometimes used locally to make a toilet water.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. Europe - Greece, Spain; Northern Africa - Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia; Arabian Peninsula; W. Asia - Israel, Turkey

Habitat

Deserts and salty soils in Israel[]

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Mainly found in the warm temperate and subtropical zones, the plant enters the tropics at elevations up to 900 metres in the dry northeast of Africa[].
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[]. Plants are tolerant of salty soils[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is used in the treatment of conditions including diabetes and dental caries and is applied externally to help wounds heal[].
An acetonic extract of the plant has been shown to confer a complete cell protection against the Herpes simplex-1 virus[].
The plant contains tannis, triterpene glycosides and flavonoid glycosides[].

Other Uses

The tips of the flower clusters, when dried, have a pleasant scent of tea[]. An infusion is used as a toilet water[].
The plant is used to make a soap for the face and the body[].

Propagation

Seed -