TEXT & PHOTO BY YAHYA AL SALMANI
Athel or Tamarix aphylla is an evergreen tree, native across Asia and Africa. It is commonly found along wadis and in mountains of Oman. It adapts to hot, humid and cold weather. Athel grows as a tree to 18 metres (60 ft) high.
It has been used as a windbreak and shade tree in agriculture and horticulture for decades, especially in dryer regions. Due to its higher fire adaptability, it can be used as a barrier to fire.
The nectar from the blossoms of Athel produces a high-quality honey with a unique taste. Due to drought- and salt-tolerant properties of the tree, it could be planted as an agro-forestry species, as well as for reclamation of marginal lands.
Athel, with its tiny, triangular and scale-like leaves, grows in dense groves.
Large numbers of small, pale pink or whitish coloured flowers are produced along the tips of the branches.
The small fruits are bell-shaped capsules containing numerous minute seeds. Each of these seeds is topped with a tuft of tiny hairs (most of the seeds are usually sterile).
These fruits are locally called Al Mughilan, which are used to cure ailments of the eyes. They are crushed and the extract is spread over the eyes.
Athel finds mention in the Holy Quran. Many communities have used Athel in traditional medicine. Its leaves were used for wounds and abscess healing, as astringent, and for rheumatism and joint pain.
Bedouins in the Sultanate have used sap secreted by the stems of this tree to treat fever and heat stroke. The tree is also used as termite repellent in many Omani homes.
The recent abundant rains of the Sultanate have given a push to the growth of tree cover including Athel. In Dabab, which is located in the Wilayat of Qurayat, Athel is growing with renewed vigour.
“Previously, these trees were cut indiscriminately for various purposes. But it regained its luster after the wave of rain that fell during the recent periods,” people told Observer.
“In addition to its health benefits, this tree has many environmental benefits. It shelters many birds that build their nests among its shady branches.”
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