Zygophyllum prostratum Thunb.
Profusely branched, glabrous herb. Stem woody at the base, brittle, branches articulate. Leaves with 3-5 mm long petiole; leaflets subsessile, obtuse, sharp mucronate, terminal leaflet obovate-cuneate, 5-10 mm long, lateral ones oblique; stipules interpetiolar, triangular, ciliate. Flowers solitary, extra-axillary, turbinate, green, c. 5-6 mm across; pedicel c. 5-6 mm long, cernuous. Sepals free, oblong-lanceolate, c. 3 mm long, acute. Stamens as long as and alternate with the sepals, anthers brownish yellow. Ovary oblong, ribbed, c. 2 mm long; styles minute, divergent, stigmas capitate. Capsule pendulous, ovoid, 6-9 mm long, c. 4-5 mm in diameter. Seeds plano-convex, compressed, 4-6 mm long, 2-3 mm broad, acute at both ends, smooth, light brown.
Fl.Per.: February-May.
Type: Sierra Leone, Herb. Willd. 8098(B).
Distribution: Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Arabia, Sinai, Palestine, Egypt, Libya and E. Africa.
Rare, in hot limestone rocks in Sind and Baluchistan.