Toothbrush tree

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Toothbrush tree
Toothbrush tree (Salvadora persica)

Toothbrush tree ( Salvadora persica )

Systematics
Rosids
Eurosiden II
Order : Cruciferous (Brassicales)
Family : Salvadoraceae
Genre : Salvadora
Type : Toothbrush tree
Scientific name
Salvadora persica
L.
Fruits and flowers

The toothbrush tree ( Salvadora persica ) is a species of plant that belongs to the small family of the Salvadoraceae in the order of the cruciferous (Brassicales). Other common German names are Salzbusch, Senfbaum and Arrakbaum or Arakbaum.

description

illustration
Leaves and fruit cluster

Vegetative characteristics

Salvadora persica is an evergreen , fast-growing shrub or small tree with a wide spreading crown that reaches heights of 2.7 to over 7 meters. There are drooping branches and characteristic long buds scattered all over the plant.

The constantly against arranged on the branches leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade. The petiole is 0.3 to 1.3, rarely up to 2 inches long. The simple, stiff and fleshy-leathery and entire, rounded to pointed leaf blade is narrow-elliptical to almost at a length of 1.4 to 10.5 centimeters and a width of 1.2 to 3, rarely up to 7.5 centimeters rounded or ovoid. The cuticle of the foliage leaves is quite thick. The leaf blades are built isolateral and not sunken stomata are on both leaf surfaces. The vessel ends are surrounded by numerous storage tracheids . The leaves have a water storage tissue. There are often minimal stipules present.

Generative characteristics

The axillary or terminal, composite paniculate inflorescences consist of racemose partial inflorescences and are up to 10-12 centimeters long. The very small, four-fold, short-stalked and hermaphrodite, fragrant flowers with a double flower envelope are greenish-white. The calyx is cup-shaped with short tips. The small petals are long-lasting and wither. There are 4 short stamens at the base of the petals. There are two upper carpels per flower . The single-chamber, short-stalked stamp is only short with a seated scar . There are small nectar glands present.

The pea-shaped, roundish, up to about 1 centimeter large, fleshy drupes with a permanent calyx are red or dark purple when ripe; they contain only one seed.

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 24.

Occurrence

Salvadora persica is widespread from North Africa , through tropical to southern Africa, on the Arabian Peninsula as well as in West Asia and on the Indian subcontinent. There are localities in Kenya , Tanzania , Uganda , Eritrea , Ethiopia , Somalia , Sudan , Algeria , Morocco , Egypt , Angola , Malawi , Mozambique , Zambia , Zimbabwe , Mali , Niger , Nigeria , Cameroon , Botswana , Namibia , Transvaal , Oman , Saudi Arabia , Yemen , Iran , Israel , Jordan , Syria , India , Pakistan , Sri Lanka and Mauritius . In some arid regions it is a neophyte .

Salvadora persica thrives on sandy, dry locations or salty soils . But it is not a typical beach plant. In India it grows at altitudes of up to 500 meters and in Tanzania it occurs at altitudes of around 1800 meters.

Taxonomy

Salvadora persica was first published in 1753 by Carl von Linné in Species Plantarum , 1, p. 122. Synonyms for Salvadora persica L. are: Salvadora persica var. Wightiana (Planch. Ex Thwaites) Verdc. , Salvadora wightiana Planch. ex Thwaites .

use

The toothbrush tree owes its name to the fact that its buds, roots and branches are traditionally used for dental care. To do this, they are cut off and then chewed until one end is so frayed that it looks like a brush. Then the teeth are brushed with it and the pieces of wood that break off are spat out. These sticks are used to clean the teeth, as a tongue scraper and to massage the gums . One finds the following mention in the Islamic customs for performing prayer: “... The necessary rules of prayer according to the Hanafi law school are as follows: To use a toothbrush made from a toothbrush tree. … “This natural toothbrush is also called Miswak or Siwak.

In Salvadora persica important minerals, crude fiber, protein and germ-inhibiting active substances are present. Deposits of the finest bassanite crystals in particular help clean the teeth by chewing the plant parts. The woods have a fluoride content of 8 to 22  ppm (commercially available toothpaste 1000 to 1500 ppm).

Ayurvedic herbal toothpaste contains active ingredients from Salvadora persica .

The leaves and bark contain trimethylamine . The seeds are rich in oils and organic acids .

The sweet and peppery fruits are edible. They are used as a mustard substitute or used raw and dried. A fat can be obtained from the seeds.

The young leaves and buds are eaten raw, cooked or as a sauce. A salt is obtained from the incinerated leaves.

ecology

Salvadora persica is the food plant for the following butterfly species (Lepidoptera): Charaxes hansali , Colotis phisadia , Colotis vestalis , Nepheronia buquetii .

literature

Web links

Commons : Toothbrush Tree ( Salvadora persica )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b Salvadora persica at Tropicos.org. In: Flora of Pakistan . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
  2. ^ Salvadora persica at Tropicos.org. In: IPCN Chromosome Reports . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
  3. ^ A b Salvadora persica in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), USDA , ARS , National Genetic Resources Program. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  4. ^ Salvadora persica at Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Retrieved July 8, 2017.