Haloxylon ammodendron Seeds | Saxaul
LATIN NAME: Haloxylon ammodendron
COMMON NAME: Saxaul
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Saxaul, Haloxylon ammodendron is a tree in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), native to deserts of the central Asia, while it is treasured as a stabiliser of desert sands. It is prized for its toughness and its remarkable ability to hold shifting sands. At maturity it stands about Seven metres. These traits together are what have kept the plant in gardens for so long.
Science & Biotechnology
As part of the amaranth family, Haloxylon ammodendron contributes to research on plant classification and adaptation, while nurseries and gardeners continue to trial it for cultivation. Saxaul has a real and distinguished place in the research. For researchers, plants like this one offer practical material for propagation studies and selection work.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Saxaul for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Ecologically, saxaul is a generous tree of desert garden. Its small, winged fruits feed birds and wildlife, and its fine, jointed, green stems give a fine cover and a shelter to wildlife of dry lands, while its deep roots hold shifting sands in place. For a grower, saxaul is a rewarding and remarkable plant, and for a gardener of dry regions it brings a tough, jointed, sand-holding tree. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
Saxaul is the great tree of Asian deserts, stabilizing dunes, giving fuelwood and sheltering the famous cistanche that grows on its roots.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Saxaul, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in bright light until the seedlings are well up. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Its role in herbal practice, noted above, adds depth to an already garden-worthy plant. Saxaul settles in quickly once it finds its footing. It is generous with beginners and their occasional misjudgements.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Saxaul often pair it with these related subjects: