Thymelaea hirsuta | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malvales |
Family: | Thymelaeaceae |
Genus: | Thymelaea |
Species: | T. hirsuta
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Binomial name | |
Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl.
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Thymelaea hirsuta, boalaga (Spanish),[1] bufalaga (Catalan and geolectal Spanish), mitnan (Arabic) or shaggy sparrow-wort, is a xerophytic shrub which can grow to 2 metres in height and has a root system reaching depths of up to 3.5m. Some noteworthy characteristics of this species are the tiny size of its leaves and flowers and that both are also fleshy. Like many other species belonging to the family Thymelaeaceae, it is a toxic plant[2] with medicinal properties that also yields a strong fibre used in the making of rope and paper.[3]